Greg's Corner

Tagged: inheritance Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

• 

  Geebo 8:00 am on October 22, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: advance fee scam ( 44 ), Ina Kenoyer, inheritance, poison, Scams ( 1,354 ), 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.

   

  Leave a ReplyCancel reply
• 

  Geebo 8:00 am on July 12, 2023 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: counterfeit money ( 9 ), inheritance, pigeon drop ( 2 ), Scams ( 1,354 )   

  Beware the parking lot stranger with a bag of cash 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Recently, we came across a news article about a man who was arrested in the Washington, D.C. area for allegedly taking part in pigeon drop scams. We had never heard of the pigeon drop scam before, so we were intrigued. The articles we read about this man’s arrest didn’t go into great detail on how the scam worked, other than the man was said to have been in possession of $20,000 in counterfeit money and a letter from a phony law firm that said the man had inherited over $700,000.

  After doing some more research, we found out the pigeon drop scam is one of the older scams going on. The term “pigeon drop” comes from the world of con artists and scamming, specifically referencing the act of tricking or “dropping” a pigeon, which is slang for an easy target or a naive person. Also, from the context of the news article, this is how we think the suspect was allegedly stealing from his victims.

  One of the more popular versions of the pigeon drop scam is when the scammer approaches their victim in public. This encounter usually takes place in a parking lot. The scammer tells the victim he’s from another country, but recently inherited a great deal of money. A letter from a law office is shown to the victim, which shows the amount supposedly inherited. Except, for whatever reason, the scammer can’t take the money back to his country. So, instead, he needs help donating the money to charity.

  ‘Coincidentally’, another person walks by whom the scammer tells the same story to. However, this is no random person. It’s actually the scammer’s accomplice. If the victim is willing to help the scammer, the accomplice will act as if they want to help too. But here’s the catch. The scammer requires proof that the two people won’t just run off with the money, so the two people need to withdraw money from their own accounts as collateral. The pair will go to a bank or ATM together to get their collateral. Once they’ve done that, the scammer places both people’s collateral in a bag. It could be a duffle bag, a purse, a briefcase, what have you.

  Now that the victim has the scammer’s ‘trust’, the scammer gives the bag of money, which is also supposed to contain the victim’s collateral. When the victim opens the bag after the scammer has left, the victim typically finds bundles of newspaper cut up to resemble stacks of dollar bills. However, since movie prop money is so easy to come by these days, that has replaced newspaper. Plus, it makes the scam seem more legitimate.

  Another version of this scam is when the scammer approaches a victim, asking them if they dropped a wallet or purse containing a large amount of money.

  So if a stranger approaches you in a parking lot talking about inheritances or lost wallets, just tell them you’re sorry, but you’re in a hurry. Remember, no one is going to give you more money for less money.

   
• 

  Geebo 9:00 am on January 19, 2023 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: business email compromise ( 11 ), check scam ( 79 ), fake check ( 47 ), inheritance, mail fraud ( 21 ), Scams ( 1,354 ), Zelle ( 66 )   

  Scam Round Up: Fake check scam targets lower income families and more 

  

  By Greg Collier

  This week on the round up we’re bringing you two scams that take advantage of the disadvantaged and one that can affect any business and its customers.

  ***

  The business email compromise scam is one of the more insidious scams. While it targets businesses, it’s usually the customers who lose the most. This is when scammers hijack a business’ email client and use it to deceive customers into making payments to the scammers. Typically, we’ve seen this when scammers convince homebuyers to send their closing costs to the scammers.

  More recently, scammers hijacked the email client of a roofing company in Florida. If you’ll recall, many Florida residents are still recovering from Hurricane Ian. The scammers sent emails to customers asking them to send their payments through the Zelle payment app. One customer lost $1800 to the scammers.

  If a business that you’re dealing with that you’re expected to make a large payment to, be wary if you’re suddenly asked to pay in nontraditional means. These can be payment apps like Venmo and Zelle, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency just to name a few. If you receive one of these emails, call the business to verify the payment request.

  ***

  Our next scam is one of the oldest scams out there and predates the internet. Residents in Pennsylvania have reported receiving letters in the mail that are promising them an inheritance. This isn’t just a tired plot device from old TV shows, and victims have fallen for this scam.

  One of two things typically happen with the inheritance scam. The victim is either asked to make some kind of payment to secure the inheritance, or they’re asked for their banking information. Either way, it can be a devastating financial loss for the victims, especially if they’re in desperate financial need.

  If you receive one of these letters, toss it in the trash. The odds that the letter is legitimate are slim. If you still think there’s an outside chance it might be real, check your family lineage first before making any payments.

  ***

  Our last scam is quite an insidious one. Scammers are sending fake checks to families in traditionally low-income areas. Victims are being told that they’re receiving a payment from UNICEF because of their income status.

  As with any fake check scam, the victims are being instructed to deposit the check and are being asked to send a portion of the payment to a third party. Some of the checks have been as much as $9600.

  If you’ve been reading our blog for a while, you’ll know that the banks will allow the victims to access that money as a courtesy before the bank discovers the check is fraudulent. Then the victim is responsible for paying the amount of the check back to the bank. Meanwhile, the scammers make off with the amount that the victim sent to the third party.

  If you receive a check in the mail you’re not expecting, dispose of it. Especially if you’re being asked to send a part of it somewhere else. That can only end up as a substantial financial loss.

   
• 

  Geebo 9:00 am on February 11, 2022 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: advance fee scam ( 44 ), fake websites ( 11 ), Immigration ( 12 ), impostor scam ( 15 ), inheritance, online shopping ( 33 ), Scams ( 1,354 ), text scam ( 23 ), USPS ( 13 ), valentine's day ( 4 )   

  Scam Round Up: Other Valentine scams and more 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Today, to help start the weekend, we’re bringing you four scams from around the country you should be aware of.

  ***

  With Valentine’s Day approaching, we’ve already discussed the romance scams you should be on the lookout for. However, there are additional scams you should be aware of. The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about impostor websites where you might be buying Valentine’s Day gifts such as jewelry and flowers from. Even if you’re shopping for gifts at the last minute, make sure the retailer you’re shopping at is a legitimate one. Check for reviews of the retailer to see if anyone has been scammed already through them. Avoid deals that seem too good to be true. Make sure the website isn’t posing as another retailer by checking the web address, known as a URL, for slight misspellings. Lastly, pass on vendors who only accept payment through cash transfer apps and cryptocurrency. Use a credit card whenever possible, since that provides the most consumer protection.

  ***

  A news report out of Pennsylvania is warning residents there about an inheritance scam. The report states that the scam starts out when the victim receives a letter in the mail from a supposed Canadian bank. The letter states that a distant relative of the victim has died, and the victim is in line to receive a multi-million dollar inheritance. While situations like this make for great TV drama, the reality is much more disappointing. In reality, the victim will either be asked to pay thousands of dollars for either phony taxes or legal fees. Or the victim will be asked for their banking information under the guise of having the inheritance sent to their bank account. If you receive one of these letters, you’re asked to just ignore it.

  ***

  If you live in an area that recently endured the winter storms, you may want to keep an eye out for this scam. In Missouri, residents are reporting receiving text messages that appear to come from the United States Postal Service (USPS). The text messages state that since service was delayed, you can request a re-delivery by clicking on a link. The link takes you to a website that looks like the USPS website and asks you for $3.30 re-delivery fee, which you can pay for with debit or credit card. This is designed to steal your financial information. The USPS will never ask for a re-delivery fee.

  ***

  Lastly, we have a scam that targets the migrant population in our country. In Indiana, police there say that people who are working to become citizens have received calls from scammers posing as local police. The victims are told if they don’t pay a fee, they could lose their status and be deported. Since the victims may not be familiar with US law, they may be easily persuaded to fall for this scam. No law enforcement department or agency will ever threaten arrest over the phone or ask for money over the phone. It’s recommended that if you receive one of these calls to contact the Department of Homeland Security. If you know someone who might be vulnerable to this scam, please let them know.

   
• 

  Geebo 8:00 am on August 7, 2020 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Homeland Security ( 4 ), ICE ( 2 ), impersonation scam ( 144 ), inheritance, police scam ( 37 ), Scams ( 1,354 )   

  Inheritance scam accuses you of being a terrorist 

  

  Residents just outside of Chicago are reporting receiving not only a scam email but some residents have reported receiving a scam letter in their mailboxes as well. In both instances, the scam threatens to have you arrested as a terrorist if you do not comply.

  The letter/email purports to be from the ‘Department of Homeland Security-ICE’ and demand that you send $580 in order to collect on an inheritance from the International Monetary Fund otherwise known as the IMF. However, if you don’t send your $580 within 48 hours, you will be assumed to be a terrorist, tracked down and arrested. The letter/email is then signed off by an officer of the ‘National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’. There’s even a phone number listed to call in Orange County, California. The scam is said to originate from an email address of ‘@homeland-ice.us’.

  Were you able to see what exactly tips the reader off that this is a scam? First off, if there ever was a warrant out for your arrest, you’re not going to receive an email about it or a photocopied email left in your mailbox. Secondly, any email from a federal government organization is going to come from a .gov email address. Anyone can purchase a .us domain name and it holds no governmental value. Lastly, there is no ‘National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’ in the United States. While we do have the DEA, there is no NDLEA which turns out is the Federal agency in Nigeria charged with enforcing that country’s drug policy. Which means that this scam is coming from overseas.

  While this scam may be humorous in its approach, it shows the prevalence of these impersonation scams. In too many scams, the scammer will pose as a member of some domestic law enforcement agency demanding money to make some perceived legal trouble to go away. Just keep in mind that no police force or law enforcement agency will demand money from you over the phone. If you do happen to owe some kind of fine, notices for that will always be delivered in the mail and won’t be a photocopied email.

   
• 

  Geebo 9:00 am on February 28, 2020 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: inheritance, romance scam ( 70 ), Scams ( 1,354 )   

  Man taken in inheritance romance scam for $43,000 

  

  A man in Northern Virginia recently reported to local police that he was fleeced out of $43,000 in a romance scam. In this particular scam, the scammers posed as a Russian woman on a dating site. While the scammers communicated with the man over text and email, they went the extra mile by communicating with the man by phone. That’s almost unheard of in romance scams as in most cases the scammers don’t want to leave any potentially identifying information. Like in almost all romance scams, there came an event that supposedly required a large sum of money.

  In this instance, the scammer said that they had received an inheritance of ‘family valuables’. However, in order to get the inheritance, they would need money for transfer fees. The victim is even said to have received a ‘certificate of ownership for an inheritance.’ As reprehensible as these scammers are, they really pulled out all the stops for this particular scam. In total, the man wired $43,000 to the scammers before he came to realization that he was being scammed. Unfortunately, this type of romance scam is not unheard of. Along with the romantic interest the victim thinks they’re getting, the scammers will sometimes throw in an element of a get rich quick scheme. We’ve seen this before where victims were offered gold or jewels if they just send their phony paramours a large sum of money to get the supposed riches out of their country. Of course, these treasures don’t actually exist.

  As we usually say at the end of romance scam stories, this can happen to just about anyone. Victims from all age groups, socioeconomic statuses, and education levels have fallen for romance scams. From CEOs to entry-level employees, the romance scam does not discriminate against any of its victims. If you or someone you know is involved with someone online that you haven’t met face to face yet, you should be very suspicious if they start asking for money. If you think someone you know may be the target of a romance scam, please show them the FTC’s website about romance scams and/or our posts about romance scams.