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  • Geebo 8:01 am on October 15, 2024 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: FBI, , ,   

    Missing Persons Case Leads to Scam Arrest 

    Missing Persons Case Leads to Scam Arrest

    By Greg Collier

    Earlier this month, a complex fraud scheme unfolded in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, highlighting the dangers of scams involving individuals posing as government agents. Local police were initially called to assist in a missing persons case originating from Anoka County, Minnesota. The missing individual was located at a hotel in Eau Claire, where they revealed a disturbing story. They had traveled to Wisconsin to hand over $32,000 to someone they believed was a federal agent.

    The victim soon realized they had been deceived and reported the scam to the authorities. Thanks to their description of the suspect, police quickly apprehended the individual while they were inside the hotel. The $32,000 was recovered, and the suspect was charged with felony theft by false representation. This case serves as a stark reminder of how scammers exploit trust, often posing as credible figures to coerce victims into handing over large sums of money.

    Around the same time, another victim in Eau Claire fell prey to a similar scheme. After receiving an email about renewing an antivirus program, they were contacted by someone claiming to be from various government agencies, including a consumer protection organization and a federal bureau. The scam escalated to the point where a so-called ‘courier’ visited the victim’s home to collect $29,500 in cash, which the victim withdrew from their bank. A second payment was made after the victim was told the initial transaction failed, bringing the total loss to $60,000.

    Both incidents demonstrate the increasingly sophisticated tactics scammers use to create a sense of urgency and fear. These criminals often employ multiple layers of deception, including impersonating authorities, demanding large payments, and urging victims to keep their interactions secret.

    Government agencies, including federal investigative bureaus, will never contact individuals to demand money or ask for secrecy. Anyone who feels uncertain or suspicious about such a request is advised to take a moment, assess the situation, and contact local authorities for guidance.

    These cases underline the importance of public awareness in preventing future fraud. By staying informed and cautious, individuals can protect themselves from falling victim to scams that prey on trust and fear.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on July 26, 2024 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: FBI, , ,   

    FBI warns elderly about gold scam 

    By Greg Collier

    Recently, a distressing trend has emerged across Montgomery County, Maryland, where senior citizens have been targeted by sophisticated scams involving gold bars. These scams are not isolated incidents, but part of a larger nationwide trend that has seen seniors losing millions of dollars to criminals posing as government officials or representatives from reputable organizations.

    These scams have resulted in significant financial losses nationwide in just the latter half of last year. The methods of these scammers are alarmingly consistent. They often impersonate tech support, financial, or government officials, claiming that the victim’s financial accounts have been compromised. The scammers then pressure the victims into converting their assets into cash or valuables, such as gold or silver, supposedly to protect them from hackers. Once the conversion is complete, the scammers arrange to collect the assets, sometimes even sending couriers to the victim’s home.

    Montgomery County has been a particular hotspot for these scams. One particularly heartbreaking case involved an elderly retiree who lost nearly $1 million after being tricked by individuals posing as federal agents. This all began with a simple click on a pop-up ad that warned of spyware. The scammers convinced her to convert her life savings into gold bars and hand them over to a courier. Fortunately, she realized the deception before handing over more than $2 million in additional assets.

    Another recent case involved an elderly man from Bethesda who was similarly deceived by a caller pretending to be from a government agency. Over nine trips to a local gold store, he converted over a million dollars into gold bars. It was only after seeing a news report about similar scams in the area that he contacted the police, who then set up a sting operation and arrested the suspect.

    Authorities have made several arrests in connection with these scams. A suspect from Brooklyn, New York, was apprehended when he attempted to collect a box of supposed gold bars handed over by an undercover detective posing as a victim. In another case, another suspect was arrested following the sting operation involving the Bethesda man. These arrests are part of ongoing efforts to combat this surge in scams targeting vulnerable seniors.

    The FBI and local authorities have issued warnings to help protect seniors from falling prey to these scams. They emphasize the importance of verifying any calls claiming to be from government officials or businesses, as they would never ask you to convert your assets into gold or other valuables. It is crucial to guard personal information and be cautious online, avoiding unknown ads or pop-ups and not allowing unknown individuals access to your computer. If you suspect you have been contacted by a scammer, report the incident to the FBI or reach out to relevant hotlines for assistance.

    These scams are not limited to Montgomery County; they are part of a troubling national trend. Reports of similar scams have surfaced across the country, with seniors being particularly vulnerable. The scale and sophistication of these operations highlight the urgent need for nationwide awareness and preventive measures. By understanding that these threats exist beyond local communities, we can work together to protect seniors from falling victim to these deceptive schemes.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on July 1, 2024 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , coin collection, coin collectors, FBI,   

    FBI warns of coin collection scams 

    FBI warns of coin collection scams

    By Greg Collier

    Scammers have found ways to infiltrate nearly every aspect of our lives, preying on unsuspecting individuals involved in a number of activities. From online shopping to investing, no area seems immune to their deceitful tactics. One such vulnerable domain is coin collecting, a cherished hobby for many enthusiasts. Scammers have cleverly adapted their schemes to target collectors, exploiting their passion and trust to steal valuable items and money. Understanding the methods these fraudsters use is crucial for protecting oneself in an increasingly interconnected world.

    The FBI has recently issued a warning to the public about a new scam targeting collectible coin enthusiasts. Scammers posing as legitimate coin dealers are tricking individuals into selling their valuable coin collections under false pretenses, only to cheat them out of significant sums of money.

    According to FBI officials, these scammers lure victims by promising substantial returns for their collectible coins.

    The scammer contacts the victim, claiming to have a collectible coin business, and offers an irresistible deal for their coin collection. The victim is promised a high payout for the coins, enticing them to send their collection. Once the scammers have received the coins, they pay the victim a much smaller amount than initially promised and keep the coins.

    In other cases, scammers offer to sell collectible coins to victims, but these coins are often of lesser value or never delivered.

    The FBI warns that scammers use various tactics to pressure victims into making quick decisions. For example, a scammer might claim that there is an upcoming auction, pushing the victim to sell their coins quickly to get a good price. Or the scammers might fabricate stories about needing to sell coins urgently due to financial distress, convincing the victim to act fast.

    Victims of this scam often end up losing their valuable coin collections and receiving only a fraction of the promised amount, if anything at all.

    According to the FBI, collectors should be wary of any unsolicited offers to purchase or sell collectible coins. Verify the legitimacy of the caller and their business. Do not hand over your coin collection to someone for ‘appraisal’ unless you are certain of their credibility.

    If you have been a victim of this scam or any similar fraudulent activity, the FBI urges you to file a report with the Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov.

    Collectible coins can be valuable assets, both financially and sentimentally. By staying informed about the latest scams and following the FBI’s guidelines, you can protect yourself from becoming a victim. Remember, if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Always verify the legitimacy of any coin dealer and exercise caution in your transactions.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on June 26, 2024 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , FBI, , , ,   

    Crypto recovery scams torment victims says FBI 

    Crypto recovery scams torment victims

    By Greg Collier

    The rapid expansion of cryptocurrency has brought with it a growing number of scams. In response to this alarming trend, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued warnings about an increase in fraudulent schemes where criminals pose as law firms or legal representatives offering to help victims recover lost digital assets.

    Fraudsters, often posing as lawyers from fictitious law firms, reach out to victims via social media, email, or other messaging platforms. They claim to have special authorization to investigate and recover funds lost in cryptocurrency investment scams. To appear legitimate, these so-called lawyers assert that they are collaborating with well-known government agencies such as the FBI or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), or they might reference real financial institutions and money exchanges.

    Victims, desperate to recover their lost funds, are duped into providing sensitive personal information, paying upfront fees, or even covering nonexistent taxes and additional fees purportedly associated with the recovery of their funds.

    If you’ve been the target of a cryptocurrency scam, or any other type of scam, it might be wise to refrain from discussing your experience on social media. Scammers specializing in recovery frauds actively search for individuals who have been previously scammed. It’s common for our blog posts or social media updates about scams to attract comments from individuals pretending to be victims who claim they successfully retrieved their funds through a recovery service. These comments are often another layer of the scam, aiming to lure in more victims.

    If someone unknown contacts you while claiming they can recover your stolen cryptocurrency, be extremely cautious. Do not divulge personal or financial information, and avoid sending any money.

    Remember, legitimate law enforcement agencies do not charge fees to investigate crimes. If you are approached by someone claiming to be affiliated with agencies like the FBI, consider verifying their identity through official channels.

    Treat unsolicited offers with suspicion, especially those that promise guaranteed returns or claim to recover lost funds for a fee.

    If you suspect that you have been targeted by a scam or have already fallen victim, it is crucial to report the incident. The FBI encourages anyone affected to file a detailed report with the IC3 at http://www.ic3.gov, including as much information as possible about the contact method, the identity of the fraudster, and any financial transactions that occurred.

    As technology evolves, so do the tactics of those looking to exploit it. The latest alerts from the FBI serve as a critical reminder of the importance of diligence in the face of offers that seem too good to be true. Always exercise caution and prioritize the security of your personal and financial information to avoid falling prey to these sophisticated scams.

     

  • Geebo 9:00 am on November 30, 2023 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: FBI, , ,   

    Celebrity romance scam had deadly consequences 

    By Greg Collier

    A pair of alleged romance scammers from New Jersey have been arrested after investigators discovered their involvement in scamming an elderly Tennessee man. The pair convinced the man that he was having an online relationship with a well-known female celebrity. Then the scammers convinced the man that they were with the FBI, and the celebrity was suing the man for harassment. That’s when the scammers started demanding money from their victim.

    The man was told he would need to pay fines to resolve the lawsuit. He sent the scammers a $5500 check. However, the check was made out to the FBI, meaning the scammers couldn’t cash the check. Apparently, the scammers were incensed by this because they told the man he would now have to pay $40,000 for failing to follow instructions. Before it was all over, the man paid close to $90,000 to the scammers, with him even taking out a loan on his car.

    It’s unknown if the man realized he was being scammed as he took his own life last month. After his passing, the man’s family found emails related to the scam and contacted police.

    We hope that our readers’ first thoughts when seeing this story aren’t “I would have never fallen for this scam.” If they were, we’d like to remind you that a man has been lost from his family due to the actions of greedy and reckless scammers. While you may not have fallen victim to this scam, there’s probably someone in your family who would. Now, imagine the heartbreak of losing them to a pointless scam like this.

    While most romance scams don’t veer off into police impersonation territory, always be wary of online relationships where your supposed partner can’t meet you in person. Also, please keep in mind that no law enforcement agency will ever ask you to make payments over the phone or through email.

    If you know someone who you suspect may be the target of a romance scam, please try to talk to them about such scams before they become victims.

    (If you or someone you know is contemplating the unthinkable, please know that there is no shame in reaching out for help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is accessible 24 hours a day at 1-800-273-8255, and you can also visit their website for support. You can also reach the lifeline by dialing 988. This new three-digit number is designed to provide easier access to mental health support services.)

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on October 12, 2023 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: FBI, , ,   

    FBI warns of scam letters sent in their name 

    FBI warns of scam letters sent in their name

    By Greg Collier

    The El Paso, Texas office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has issued an alert about scammers posing as their office. Letters are being sent to El Paso residents that are official looking and appear to be on FBI stationery.

    The letter claims it’s regarding an identity theft case that involves Bank of America. The letter goes on to state the recipient’s bank account with Bank of America has now been secured, but was suspected by US Customs and Border Patrol of being part of an identity theft scheme. The scam letter even contains warnings that it is sensitive material and should not be shared.

    The El Paso FBI Office states the scammers are trying to get victims to pay the scammers in cryptocurrency or other funds, but doesn’t explain how. If you take a look at a copy of the letter the FBI has released, it has the official contact information of the El Paso office on it, albeit signed by a fictitious special agent.

    Typically, when scammers send out letters impersonating an agency or business, false contact information will be included, so the recipient would call the scammer, and not the entity they’re impersonating. It could be that the FBI intentionally left that information off the letter, so people don’t call the scammers. Or, these letters could be followed up by a scammer’s phone campaign where they call the letter’s recipients, furthering their scam.

    Either way, it’s easy to spot that this letter is a fake, as the second time they print Bank of America, the bank’s name is not capitalized. Not to mention, many recipients probably don’t even bank with B of A.

    We’d be remiss if we didn’t say this reminds us of a popular phone scam. In that scam, the scammers will call a victim posing as either, the FBI, US Marshals, or Border Patrol. The scammers will tell their victims that a car rented in the victim’s name has been found along the southern border that contained drugs. The victim is typically threatened with arrest, but they can make the warrant go away if they just pay the fake officer or agent directly.

    Please keep in mind, no law enforcement agency will ever call you up or ask you for money, nor will they send letters. If you owe any kind of legal fine or court cost, that correspondence usually comes from the court and not the police.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on June 6, 2023 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: FBI, IC3, , ,   

    Phony FBI letters sent by scammers 

    By Greg Collier

    Scammers will take advantage of a victim. ‘Good’ scammers will try to take advantage of the same victim twice. You can see this in the scam recovery service scam we’ve posted about in the recent past. That’s where scammers go after scam victims and promise the victims they can recover their money for a fee, of course. Now, a new scam has emerged, and while it doesn’t specifically target scam victims., they can be more vulnerable to this scam.

    It’s being reported in South Central Pennsylvania that residents are receiving a letter which appears to come from the FBI. Well, the letters are actually embedded in emails sent to victims. The letters claim to not only be from the FBI, but also from the Internet Crime Complaint Center, which is better known as IC3. The IC3 website is where scam victims can go to report internet scams.

    Getting back to the letters, they claim that the recipient was the victim of a cybercrime. The letter goes on to state that the recipient’s email address was found in the database of a Nigerian scammer. The hook to this scam is the letter says the recipient is eligible for restitution in the amount of $1.4 million.

    The report we read doesn’t state what the scammers are after, but if history is any indicator, it could be one of three things. The first is the scammers will need victims to make a payment which will be disguised as taxes or processing fees. The second thing the scammers could want is the victim’s personal and financial information under the guise of where they should send the phony payment. This could give the scammers access to the victim’s bank accounts. Lastly, the scammers could include a link in the email which could inject malware into the victim’s device. If it’s the right device, the scammers could steal the victim’s identity and take over their life.

    Thankfully, there is a simple way to protect yourself from this scam. Law enforcement will not conduct official business through email. If the FBI really wanted to get a hold of you, they would do it by official mail or a personal visit. Secondly, very few scam victims are scammed for $1.4 million dollars. If the FBI recovered that much money and there were multiple victims, you may get partial payment by check in an amount that would be similar to those issued in a class action lawsuit, i.e., nowhere near $1.4 million. If you receive one of these emails and still have questions, contact your nearest FBI Office directly, and do not use any contact information included in the letter.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on May 18, 2023 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , FBI, , ,   

    Check scam has police impostor twist 

    By Greg Collier

    The check scam is so common place, it is often used in multiple scams. For example, there is the overpayment scam. If you’re selling something online, the buyer will send you a check that’s more than the asking amount. In employment scams, it’s used to falsely pay the employee while they pay out to scam vendors. Fake checks are even sent as prizes for contests the victims never entered. However, they all have one thing in common. The scammers want the victim to deposit the check into the victim’s bank account and have the victim send money from the account before the check is detected as fraudulent. The scammer gets paid, while the victim is held responsible for the amount of the check.

    Now, scammers are using fake checks as an intimidation tactic. Victims in South Carolina have been receiving fake checks in one of the scams listed above. After receiving the check, victims are emailed by scammers posing as the FBI. The victims are threatened with arrest by being accused of being part of a money laundering ring. While the news report doesn’t mention, we’re assuming the scammers follow up the threat by asking for the money from the check to be sent to them. Meanwhile, the supposed FBI emails are sent from a Gmail account.

    Even if a check appears to clear initially, it doesn’t guarantee its authenticity. Avoid withdrawing or spending the funds until your bank confirms that the check has fully cleared, which can take several days or even weeks.

    If someone asks you to send a portion of the money back after depositing a check, consider it a red flag. Legitimate transactions rarely involve sending money back in such a manner.

    It’s also important to remember that legitimate law enforcement agencies typically do not make arrest threats or demand immediate payments over the phone or through email. They follow proper procedures and protocols when dealing with legal matters.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on April 6, 2022 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: FBI, , ,   

    FBI: Voice cloning used in kidnapping scams 

    FBI: Voice cloning used in kidnapping scams

    By Greg Collier

    You receive a phone call where the caller says they’ve kidnapped one of your loved ones. You ask to speak to them, and the voice on the phone sounds exactly like them. But it’s not actually your loved one. Instead, it’s a scammer who’s using a technology to mimic your loved one’s voice. It sounds like something that could only happen in a movie. However, not only is it possible, the FBI is saying that it’s happening now.

    Voice cloning technology is typically used by people who can no longer speak on their own due to medical reasons. The FBI has issued a warning that scammers are using the technology in virtual kidnapping scams. In the virtual kidnapping scam, scammers will call their victim claiming they’ve kidnapped one of the victim’s loved ones and is holding them for ransom. The supposed kidnap victim is almost always safe and unaware, but the scam victim doesn’t know that at the time. On the more low tech side, the scammers will have someone screaming in the background to make it seem like the victim’s loved one is being abused. But now, the FBI is saying that scammers are using the expensive voice cloning technology to mimic the voice of the victim’s loved one.

    Scammers can get just about anyone’s voice by calling them and engaging them for a few minutes. Once the scammers have enough of that person’s voice recorded, they can use it to imitate that person’s voice almost perfectly. This tactic can go a long way in convincing a victim that the kidnapping is real.

    To better protect your loved ones against such scams, it’s recommended that you set up a code word to ensure that they’re talking to the person they say they are. If you receive a call that you suspect may be a cloned voice, you can always ask the caller a question that only they would know. And as always, if you can, contact someone else in your family to make sure that the person who’s been supposedly kidnapped, is safe and sound.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on March 16, 2022 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , FBI, , Spring Break, ,   

    Spring break is the season of kidnapping scams 

    By Greg Collier

    It’s getting to be that time of year when college students from around the country descend on locales with warmer climates. Of course, I’m talking about Spring Break. While the US has many beach hotspots students can enjoy, many will choose to go outside the country to try to maximize their Spring Break experience. Whether it’s the Caribbean, Central America, or overseas, Spring Breakers should be relatively safe as long as they don’t stray from the tourist areas. However, scammers are hoping that the parents of Spring Breakers are not so sure about the safety of their college-aged children.

    The FBI is advising they see an increase in the virtual kidnapping scam during Spring Break since so many students are traversing in and out of the country. As you may have heard, in the virtual kidnapping scam, scammers will have claimed to have kidnapped a loved one and will demand a ransom. Meanwhile, your loved one is actually safe and has no idea their well-being is being used in a scam. The reason we’re focusing this time on students traveling outside the country is because kidnappings for ransom are quite rare in the United States. That doesn’t mean the scam doesn’t take place in the US. You can read more about those here.

    The FBI is saying that during Spring Break, these scammers will claim to be from a drug cartel or corrupt police department. The scammers will then demand a ransom in some untraceable form, such as gift cards or money transfer. There might even be someone in the background of the phone call screaming, pretending to be the supposed kidnap victim. The scammers will also try to keep you on the phone, so you don’t have a chance to try to contact your loved one. However, that’s precisely what you should do. Try to contact your loved one on another device as quickly as possible. Keep the scammers on the phone by repeating their orders, and tell them you’re writing their instructions down. Don’t volunteer any information to the callers, they can use that against you during the call. In numerous instances, the scammers will use information they’ve taken from social media to make it seem like they have your loved one held hostage.

    The best way to avoid falling victim to this scam is to set up a code word of sorts between you and your kids, who are traveling for Spring Break. This way, you should be able to immediately identify if your children are in actual danger.

     

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