MCSO INTERCEPTS TEN-THOUSAND DOLLARS IN CASH SENT BY VICTIM TO AN INTERNET SCAMMER
ISSUES WARNING TO EVERYONE
Martin County, Fl (treasurecoast.com) – “Somewhere in the world, a desperate con artist is awaiting an envelope stuffed with $10,000 in cash. Here in Martin County, an elderly female who was scammed, will get her money back thanks to an alert shipping employee and our Special Investigations Detectives.”
The local woman fell victim to the Norton Anti-Virus scam.
Here’s how it worked. The victim was sent an email saying she was owed a refund of $325.00. When she called the number to obtain the refund, she gave the scammer remote access to her computer, so he could do a fake computer security analysis, then do a “bank transfer” of $325.00 into her bank account. Instead, the scammer created an invoice which looked as if he accidently transferred $20,325.00 into the victim’s account.
The scammer then pleaded with the victim to return the $20,000, or he would be in serious trouble. The victim was so concerned that this “nice young man” would lose his job, she went to the bank and made a cash withdrawal. The bank would not allow her to withdraw the full $20,000, but they did allow her access to $10,000.
She proceeded to a shipping facility and began preparing the money for shipment to an address in Alabama. (Which would have likely been re-routed to another country.) The shipment was flagged at this local facility and MCSO was notified. MCSO Special Investigations Detectives made it to the facility in enough time to intercept the package—and track it back to the victim. Once MCSO made contact with her—it was determined that she fell victim to the scam.
This is a prevalent scam, and we are asking everyone to alert their family and friends to it, especially our senior citizens. In this case, this victim was so kind hearted, she was worried about the welfare of someone who was on the verge of defrauding her. That’s how it works. Please help us spread the word.
The bad news is, many others will fall victim to this scam and never get their money back. The good news is, the scammer who is anxiously awaiting this payday package—is still waiting…and waiting….and waiting. Sorry for his sudden change in luck.”
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