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  Geebo 9:17 am on November 13, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: advance fee scam, credit card fraud ( 3 ), fake check ( 48 ), lottery scam ( 13 ), Scams ( 1,386 )   

  Did a Scammer Pay a Victim’s Credit Card Debt? 

  

  By Greg Collier

  In a disheartening tale of deception and financial ruin, a lottery scam with roots in Indianapolis has surfaced, leaving victims across state lines in a wake of financial devastation. This scam, which preys on the hope and trust of unsuspecting individuals, has taken thousands of dollars from victims, including an elderly Florida resident who lost more than $40,000.

  The scam unfolds with a seemingly innocuous phone call or text message, proclaiming an improbable windfall. A lottery win, despite the recipient never purchasing a ticket. The allure of an $8 million jackpot is dangled before the victim, often with the claim that they need to pay taxes or fees upfront to secure their winnings. But behind the promise of fortune lies a sinister intent, to extract personal information or outright steal money.

  The experience of one elderly victim underscores the complex and deceptive nature of these schemes. An Indianapolis man, posing as a representative of a national lottery, convinced the victim that her prize was genuine. He even manipulated her finances in an unprecedented way, paying off her credit card debts with fraudulent checks to gain her trust. It was only after the payments were reversed that the victim realized the extent of the fraud.

  In this particular case, the use of fake checks to pay off victims’ debts is a new twist. The scammers’ ability to provide temporary financial relief gives their operation an air of legitimacy, which can lower the victim’s defenses. This deceptive strategy has not been widely reported before, highlighting the evolving methods used by fraudsters to exploit their victims.

  Adding to the distress, the victim was persuaded to send thousands of dollars in cash via courier services to an Indianapolis address. She believed the funds were covering necessary taxes on her winnings. The culprits, however, used multiple aliases and addresses, making it nearly impossible to track the stolen money.

  The victim’s ordeal has left her with significant debt, a ruined credit score, and an unrelenting quest for justice. Despite reporting the crime to multiple agencies, she remains burdened by the aftermath.

  Authorities urge anyone who receives a suspicious call or message about lottery winnings to verify the claims independently. Legitimate lotteries do not demand payment of fees or taxes upfront, nor do they contact winners without prior participation in a contest. This is commonly known as the advance fee scam.

  While the victim’s financial losses may never be recovered, her story could save others from falling victim to similar schemes. As scams grow more sophisticated, so too must our collective efforts to expose and prevent them.

   

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  Geebo 8:00 am on October 22, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: advance fee scam, Ina Kenoyer, inheritance ( 6 ), poison, Scams ( 1,386 ), Steven Riley Jr.   

  Scam Victim Poisoned Over Fake Inheritance 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Scams are often associated with financial loss, embarrassment, and frustration, but their impact can sometimes reach far deeper, leading to actions driven by fear, betrayal, and desperation. While most scams don’t end in tragedy, the case of Steven Riley Jr., who was fatally poisoned by his partner after falling for a fake inheritance scheme, highlights the lethal potential of deception.

  In this instance, Riley believed he was about to inherit $30 million from a distant relative, an offer presented to him through an email from someone posing as a lawyer. However, this promise of wealth was nothing more than a carefully crafted advance fee scam. Scammers behind such schemes lure victims with the promise of a large inheritance, but the payout never materializes. As the deception unfolds, the supposed lawyer or intermediary typically demands fees, often labeled as taxes, processing charges, or legal expenses, before releasing the funds. Victims who trust the scammer often make payment after payment, believing the reward is just within reach.

  Riley was poised to meet the so-called lawyer at an airport to finalize the transfer, convinced the inheritance was real. The scammer likely intended to escalate the scheme by demanding further payments once trust was established. Unfortunately, Riley never got the chance to realize he was being conned.

  The fallout from this scam took a disturbing turn when Riley’s girlfriend, Ina Kenoyer, poisoned him, believing he intended to leave her once he secured the inheritance. Their relationship had deteriorated over time, and the promise of sudden wealth acted as a final breaking point. Fueled by a sense of betrayal and entitlement, Kenoyer poisoned Riley with antifreeze, masking it in sweet tea. She delayed his access to medical care, insisting he was suffering from heat stroke, until it was too late. The scam set the stage for a tragic sequence of events that ended with Riley’s death and Kenoyer’s arrest for murder.

  Though this case may seem extreme, it serves as a powerful reminder of how scams can push people toward desperate, even deadly, actions. Scams often play on human emotions such as greed, trust, fear, or hope, drawing victims into webs of deceit. In some cases, the psychological strain can drive individuals to actions they never would have considered under normal circumstances. In Riley’s case, the lure of wealth and the belief that it was slipping away resulted in a tragic betrayal.

  The tragedy of this case is not just in the loss of life, but in the realization that scams can lead to far more than financial ruin. They can fracture relationships, erode trust, and, in rare but devastating cases, drive people to irreversible decisions. Raising awareness about the tactics used in these scams is essential to preventing future harm. Recognizing the red flags, such as unsolicited emails promising sudden wealth, can help individuals avoid falling into the same traps.

  Scams thrive in the shadows of hope, desperation, and greed. This case stands as a stark reminder that falling for them can have consequences far beyond what anyone might expect.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on October 21, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: advance fee scam, appointment setter, employment ( 37 ), job scam ( 81 ), Scams ( 1,386 )   

  Appointment Setter Job Scams: A Social Media Threat 

  

  By Greg Collier

  In today’s job market, work-from-home opportunities seem to offer the perfect solution for those seeking flexibility and financial stability. But not all of these opportunities are as promising as they appear. A new scam targeting job seekers has emerged: fake appointment setter jobs. Advertised on social media, these scams lure people with the promise of high income, only to trap them with upfront fees and deceptive promises.

  An appointment setter is a legitimate position in which employees schedule meetings between a company’s sales staff and potential clients. The job’s goal is to help close deals by organizing appointments efficiently. Typical compensation includes hourly pay with occasional bonuses for successfully setting high-quality appointments. Importantly, legitimate companies provide any necessary job training at no cost to their employees.

  While appointment setter jobs do exist, scammers have started to hijack the concept, exploiting unsuspecting job seekers. Ads promoting these roles claim you can earn significant money from home, but there are a few telltale signs that the offer might not be genuine.

  Real appointment-setting jobs offer modest pay, with potential bonuses based on performance. Ads that promise exorbitant earnings are likely too good to be true. No legitimate employer will ask you to pay for training. If the job offer requires thousands of dollars upfront for training, it’s a scam. Scammers often claim that paying for training guarantees a job, but legitimate companies never make such promises. Some scams present the position as a business opportunity, asking participants to recruit others or sell services, making it seem more like a pyramid scheme than a job.

  Before accepting any job offer, especially one found on social media, follow these steps to avoid falling into a scam. Take your time and consult someone you trust. Scammers often pressure victims to act quickly to avoid missing out.

  Search online for the company’s name along with words like ‘scam’ or ‘complaint’. Also, check with your state attorney general’s office for any complaints. A lack of complaints doesn’t necessarily mean the company is legitimate, but it’s a useful starting point. Be skeptical of success stories as they may be fabricated, with positive reviews potentially originating from fake profiles.

  The allure of easy money and flexible hours can make job seekers vulnerable to scams like fake appointment setter roles. Knowing how legitimate jobs operate and understanding the tactics scammers use are essential to protecting yourself. Do your research, and trust your instincts. If a job offer feels off, especially one that asks for money upfront, it’s probably not the opportunity it claims to be.

  Scammers are constantly evolving their schemes, but with the right knowledge and caution, you can outsmart them and avoid falling victim to fraudulent job offers.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on April 16, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: advance fee scam, lottery scam ( 13 ), Scams ( 1,386 )   

  Scam targets victims with false prize winnings 

  

  By Greg Collier

  The advance fee scam is a type of fraud that involves enticing victims with the promise of a large sum of money in exchange for a relatively small upfront payment or fee. This scheme operates under various guises and narratives, but the underlying premise remains consistent. The victim is led to believe that they will receive a substantial financial reward, typically through inheritance, lottery winnings, or a business opportunity.

  The Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office has issued a warning about this scam that preys on the hopes and dreams of unsuspecting individuals, promising them large sums of money that simply do not exist.

  The scheme unfolds with a phone call from someone claiming to represent the state office, informing the recipient that they have won a substantial cash prize. However, as one unfortunate Oklahoma resident discovered, these promises are nothing more than a cruel hoax designed to part victims from their hard-earned money.

  One Oklahoma woman, whose mother fell victim to this scam, shared her family’s ordeal. Her elderly mother, eagerly anticipating a windfall of nearly a million dollars, was instead left devastated when the promised winnings failed to materialize. The scammers, using sophisticated tactics, convinced her mother that she needed to pay a fee to claim her prize. They even went so far as to fabricate a story involving law enforcement confiscating a supposed prize check, adding a layer of deceit to their ploy.

  What makes this scam particularly nefarious is the manipulation of caller ID information, with the calls appearing as either “unknown” or originating from a local area code. In some instances, the fraudsters have gone as far as spoofing the official telephone number of the Attorney General’s Office itself, adding an air of legitimacy to their deceit.

  Tragically, the elderly victim, like many others, succumbed to the pressure and parted with her money, leaving her not only financially depleted but also deeply embarrassed by her unwitting participation in the scam. As the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office rightly emphasizes, the Attorney General’s office is committed to protecting consumers, not exploiting them for financial gain.

  To avoid falling victim to advance fee scams, it’s essential to exercise caution and skepticism when approached with unsolicited offers of financial gain. Be wary of requests for upfront payments or personal information from unknown parties, and always verify the legitimacy of any offers or claims independently. Additionally, familiarize yourself with common scam tactics and educate yourself on how to recognize and avoid fraudulent schemes.

  Scammers often demand payment via wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or payment apps, making it difficult to trace or recover funds. Be wary of any demands for payment made over the phone.

  Never divulge sensitive financial or personal details to unsolicited callers claiming to represent government agencies. If in doubt, hang up and contact the agency directly using a verified phone number.

  Caller ID can be manipulated to display false information, including legitimate government agency numbers. Treat unexpected calls with skepticism and verify their authenticity independently.

  By remaining informed and adopting proactive measures to protect personal and financial information, anyone can safeguard themselves against the predatory tactics of scammers seeking to exploit their trust and vulnerability. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

   
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  Geebo 9:00 am on February 29, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: advance fee scam, government scams ( 6 ), grants ( 15 ), identity theft ( 108 ), Scams ( 1,386 ), TikTok ( 10 )   

  When old scams become new: TikTok scam promises free money 

  

  By Greg Collier

  A prevalent scam frequently encountered on Facebook is the government grant scam. This usually occurs when scammers gain unauthorized access to someone’s Facebook account. They then exploit this access to send messages to the victim’s friends, claiming they’ve received a significant government grant and anyone can apply. These messages include a link for recipients to purportedly apply for the grant.

  In this scam, the trick lies in scammers posing as government representatives who then request payment from victims under false pretenses, often citing processing fees or taxes. This deceptive practice is commonly referred to as the advance fee scam, where individuals are asked to pay money upfront in order to receive promised funds.

  When a social network emerges with a predominantly young audience, scammers adapt their tactics to better appeal to this demographic. They might tweak the scam’s messaging, incorporating language and content that resonates with younger users.

  According to the Better Business Bureau, scammers on TikTok are luring users with the promise of a $6,400 government grant, targeting individuals earning less than $50,000 annually. Given the economic challenges many young people face today, this offer may seem particularly appealing to a significant portion of the younger population.

  In the TikTok scam, perpetrators use videos featuring individuals who purport to have successfully applied for and received the grant. However, these individuals are often victims of the scam themselves. As part of the deception, scammers may condition the release of the promised payment on the victim creating their own video endorsing the legitimacy of the grant program.

  The BBB also reports the scam on TikTok might not necessarily be seeking payment from victims, but rather aiming to harvest their personal data.

  If a grant or financial assistance program requires payment upfront, question its legitimacy. Legitimate government grants typically do not require payment in advance. Avoid providing personal or financial information to unknown individuals or entities online, especially in response to unsolicited messages or requests. Take the time to research any offers or opportunities thoroughly before taking action. Look for reviews, feedback, or reports from trusted sources to validate the legitimacy of the offer. Lastly, Be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true, especially if they promise large sums of money for minimal effort or qualifications.

   
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  Geebo 9:00 am on February 5, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: advance fee scam, elder fraud ( 6 ), elderly ( 12 ), Scams ( 1,386 ), sweepstakes ( 25 )   

  Scammer made $50M in $30 scam 

  

  By Greg Collier

  The recent sentencing of a scammer from New Jersey by federal authorities serves as yet another case offering us a glimpse into the inner workings of various scams. His scam might even be deemed ingenious if it weren’t for the unfortunate reality that he targeted one of the most vulnerable segments of the population, stealing their hard-earned money.

  For more than a decade, the scammer diligently dispatched 750,000 letters per month to potential victims, with the majority being elderly individuals. These letters all bore promises of a cash prize, contingent on the recipient paying a $30 processing fee. This might ring a bell as the classic advance payment scam or sweepstakes scam. Essentially, victims are lured into paying a small amount with the promise of a larger prize. The scammer typically escalates the requested amounts, conjuring up various excuses for the delay in prize disbursement. In reality, there is no prize, and the scammers are simply leading their victims on for additional payments.

  Among the multitude of letters dispatched, approximately 2% of recipients reportedly took the bait. This translated to a staggering monthly income of $450,000 for the scammer. Allegedly, he had tapped into a pool of victims who had fallen prey to scams before, having purchased a list from other fraudsters. Upon a victim’s response, the scammer would send out additional letters with a similar pitch but appearing to originate from different entities. In numerous cases, the victims, often elderly and on fixed incomes, found themselves in poor health, hoping that the promised prize money would enable them to seek much-needed treatment.

  Despite facing arrest for orchestrating these scams, the scammer brazenly persisted in sending out deceptive prize letters to victims while awaiting sentencing. Just last week, the perpetrator received a federal prison sentence of five years.

  This scheme reveals that scammers are willing to cast a wide net in hopes of snaring just a few victims. Take, for instance, the mystery of how scammers pinpoint the banks their targets are affiliated within their deceptive text alerts. The truth is, they don’t. They inundate people with a barrage of messages pretending to be a prominent regional bank, knowing only a small number will take the bait. By successfully tricking a handful of respondents, scammers manage to pilfer enough to sustain their lucrative operation.

  Keeping our elderly relatives informed is crucial in safeguarding them from such heartless scams. Remind them that it’s illegal for anyone to request money for a supposed sweepstakes prize. No one’s parents or grandparents should have to endure the financial torment that these scams bring. Empowering them with knowledge is a powerful tool in the fight against these schemes.

   
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  Geebo 9:00 am on December 8, 2023 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: advance fee scam, check scam ( 79 ), fake check ( 48 ), Publishers Clearing House ( 11 ), Scams ( 1,386 ), sweepstakes ( 25 )   

  New twist added to sweepstakes scam 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Scammers have often impersonated Publishers Clearing House (PCH) due to their famous sweepstakes that award winners large sums of money from their Prize Patrol van. Typically, fraudsters will pose as PCH in order to perpetrate what’s known as an advance fee scam. In that scam, the scammers will tell their victim they won a substantial monetary prize from the PCH Sweepstakes, but to claim the prize the victim needs to pay a processing fee or taxes before they can claim the prize. This scam can go on for months, with the scammers always claiming that more money is needed from the victim before the prize can be claimed. However, there is a new PCH-related scam that builds on the advance fee scam.

  An elderly woman from Florida recently received a letter indicating she had won a prize from PCH. Included with the letter was a check for $9,450 to assist with taxes and processing fees. She was instructed to call a phone number once the check had been deposited into her account. Thankfully, she did not fall for this scam and called her local news channel instead.

  Frequent readers probably recognize this scam as the fake check scam. The scammer’s goal here was to get the woman to deposit the check into her bank account, Once she did that, she would have been instructed to send that money to a third party to pay for the ‘taxes and fees’. With the check almost assuredly being a fake, the victim would be responsible for that money once her bank discovered the check was fraudulent.

  To protect yourself from a scam like this, it’s always prudent to keep the phrase ‘no purchase necessary’ in mind. It’s illegal to be charged a fee for a sweepstakes prize, even if a check is included to help pay the fees. Also, anytime a person you don’t know asks you to deposit a check before sending someone else the money, the odds are pretty good they’re trying to scam you.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on October 25, 2023 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: advance fee scam, church ( 3 ), fake clergy, police impersonation scam ( 65 ), Publishers Clearing House ( 11 ), scam reporting, Scams ( 1,386 ), sweepstakes ( 25 ), traffic tickets ( 3 ), USA.gov   

  Scam Round Up: Where to report a scam and more 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Scammers in Modesto, California, are preying upon Spanish-speaking residents by posing as clergy from the local Catholic diocese. These scammers are allegedly charging families up to $2000 for baptisms, confirmations, and first communions.

  Some scam victims may be afraid to come forward due to their immigration status. However, police have urged residents to come forward by reassuring them they won’t be asked their current status.

  ***

  Police in Evanston, Illinois are warning residents there about a police impersonation scam happening in their area. According to the Evanston PD, scammers are calling residents and telling them they owe money for traffic tickets.

  As with all police impersonation scams, real police will never call you and ask for money over the phone, nor will they threaten you with arrest for not paying.

  If you receive a call like this, hang up, and call your local police department at their non-emergency number.

  ***

  An elderly woman from Western New York received a letter that appeared to come from Publisher’s Clearing House, telling her she won $2.6 million. Thankfully, she caught on quickly that it was a scam. The letter asked her to pay $4000 in insurance to ensure she would receive the $2.6M check.

  This is known as the advance fee scam, and PCH has always been imitated in these scams. Keep in mind, it doesn’t cost anything to enter sweepstakes like this. That’s why they always say no purchase necessary.

  ***

  Lastly, the Federal Government has set up a new website that will help consumers report scams. Anyone can go to USA.gov and answer a quick series of questions. The tool will advise the user where to report a particular type of scam.

  For example, we answered that we were inquiring about identity theft regarding our tax return, and it directed us to the proper department of both the IRS and FBI to report the scam.

  Related Video: Kenmore woman doesn’t fall for $2.6 million scam prize letter posing as Publishers Clearing House

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on October 3, 2023 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: advance fee scam, debt forgiveness ( 13 ), Scams ( 1,386 ), student debt ( 15 ), student loans ( 15 )   

  It’s time again for student debt relief scams 

  

  By Greg Collier

  With all the politicizing that has happened around student debt relief in the past few years, it’s no wonder people are confused about the status of their student loans. This month, federal student loan payments are set to resume. With that, scammers have become reinvigorated to prey on the confusion of those with student loan debt and are out in full force to take financial advantage of those who were already struggling to make their loan payments.

  These scams typically involve deceptive tactics that promise swift and complete relief from student loan obligations, often with enticing offers of reduced or even eliminated debt. However, the perpetrators behind these schemes exploit the lack of awareness and understanding surrounding legitimate forgiveness options.

  Scammers often reach out to potential victims through phone calls, emails, or social media advertisements. They may claim to be from a government agency, a reputable loan servicing company, or a nonprofit organization specializing in debt relief. They’ll make enticing promises of immediate and complete student loan forgiveness, regardless of the borrower’s financial situation or eligibility.

  To access their supposed services, scammers require upfront fees or request personal financial information. Legitimate student loan forgiveness programs do not charge upfront fees, so this is a significant red flag. They may pose as loan servicers and request sensitive personal and financial information, such as Social Security numbers and bank account details. This information is then used for identity theft or other fraudulent activities.

  After collecting fees or personal information, the scammers disappear. Victims are left with the same or even more substantial student loan debt, often facing financial hardship due to the money they lost to the scam.

  Legitimate student loan forgiveness programs do not charge upfront fees. If someone requests money upfront before providing assistance, it is likely a scam. Avoid making payments or sharing personal information, especially your Federal Student Aid ID and login information.

  To find information about federal student loan forgiveness programs, visit the official U.S. Department of Education website or relevant government agency websites. These sites provide accurate and up-to-date information on legitimate programs, and also provide information about scams.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on September 20, 2023 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: advance fee scam, Facebook Marketplace ( 63 ), gas pumps ( 3 ), jury duty scam ( 30 ), laptops ( 4 ), pump switching, Scams ( 1,386 ), subpoena   

  Scam Round Up: The gas pump switching scam and more 

  

  By Greg Collier

  There’s a new version of the advance fee scam circulating on Facebook Marketplace. An advance fee scam is when a scammer promises something valuable for free then asks for some type of payment for things like taxes or shipping.

  In this case, scammers are offering a free laptop, but it comes with a sob story. The ad claims the seller bought their spouse a new ‘laptop pro’, but they caught their spouse cheating and want to give the laptop away as a form of punishment.

  The ad almost tips itself off as being a scam, since the gender of the spouse switches back and forth in the description.

  “I am giving out this laptop Pro that I bought to surprise my husband for her birthday but then caught her cheating on me,” the scammer wrote. “I know I could sell it and get my money back, but I want to show her I gave it away for nothing like her is to me.”

  The catch is, once someone responds to the ad, the seller asks for a $70 shipping fee, and the laptop is never delivered. Scammers are also using hijacked Facebook accounts. So if you see a friend listing this for sale, you may want to let them know.

  ***

  A new version of the jury duty scam has popped up in Florida, and its targets are more vulnerable than the typical jury duty scam victim. Instead of just calling people at random and threatening them with arrest for supposedly missing jury duty, scammers are now targeting people who have actually been subpoenaed.

  Subpoenas are a matter of public record, and scammers are using these records to target their victims. Like the jury duty scam, the scammers are posing as the local police or court system and demanding cash from victims to avoid arrest. The scammers are asking their victims to meet them in person.

  However, also like the jury duty scam, no law enforcement agency or court will ever call you and threaten you with arrest if you don’t make an immediate payment. If any kind of legal fine ever needs to paid, a person would be notified by mail.

  ***

  Police in the Philadelphia area are warning consumers about a gas pump scam. They call it the pump switching scam, and it starts when someone approaches a victim at the gas pumps and insists on pumping their gas for them. According to the police, the scammers are quite insistent about it.

  If a victim agrees to this, the scammer won’t return the nozzle to the pump and will continue to fill the tanks of people who drive up for $20 cash. This will continue until the victim’s card hits its limit or the police arrive.

  To protect yourself from this scam, always return the nozzle to the pump and end the transaction. You can also prepay inside the gas station. If you do pay at the pump, also make sure you print out a receipt.