Tag:

Online Scams

Fair Lawn-Glen Rock
Police & Fire
They Steal Your Heart, Then Steal Your Money: Romance Scammers Make It Look Easy They Steal Your Heart, Then Steal Your Money: Romance Scammers Make It Look Easy
They Steal Your Heart, Then Steal Your Money: Romance Scammers Make It Look Easy It's heartbreaking to discover that someone you've become enamored with online isn't into you, but it’s even worse to realize that person just made off with $3,500 of your money. That’s what happened to a Glen Rock resident who ended up wiring the dough to a sweet talker in the Dominican Republic. Suffice to say: It wasn’t coming back. Although $3,500 is a significant sum to some, it’s couch cushion change compared with the $450,000 in crypto lost last year by another romance scam victim from Glen Rock. According to the Federal Trade Commission, a staggering $1.3 BILLION was lost by 70,000…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Teaneck
Police & Fire
Marketplace Ripoff: Odometer Turned Way Down, Seller Screwed, Arrests Made Marketplace Ripoff: Odometer Turned Way Down, Seller Screwed, Arrests Made
Marketplace Ripoff: Odometer Turned Way Down, Seller Screwed, Arrests Made A Teaneck resident who bought a used SUV on Facebook Marketplace was shocked to discover that the 79,750 miles recorded on its odometer was bogus. Try: 203,000. !! Teaneck police got involved, arresting two Bayonne men who Police Chief Andrew McGurr said conspired to pull the scam. The cash sale for the 2015 Subaru took place outside the victim’s home, the chief said. When it came time to register the vehicle, he said, an agent with the state Motor Vehicle Commission said the title appeared to have been altered. So did the odometer. “An investigation determined that the odometer of the …

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by Jerry DeMarco
White Plains
Police & Fire
Police In Westchester County Warn Of Scammers Pretending To Sell Fake Sweatshirts Police In Westchester County Warn Of Scammers Pretending To Sell Fake Sweatshirts
Police In Westchester County Warn Of Scammers Pretending To Sell Fake Sweatshirts The Westchester County Police Department is warning people of scammers pretending to sell fake sweatshirts online.  The scheme usually consists of Facebook messages or message replies from a "changing cast of characters" where the fake account posts a link to an online store to purchase hooded sweatshirts with the department's patch on them, according to an announcement from the  Westchester County Police Department.  The link and name of the false online store will often change, which police said is a common hallmark of a scam.  The fake accounts that post the links wi…

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by Ben Crnic
Stafford
Police & Fire
Stafford County Sheriff Issues Alert About Phony Murder Investigation Making Rounds Online Stafford County Sheriff Issues Alert About Phony Murder Investigation Making Rounds Online
Stafford County Sheriff Issues Alert About Phony Murder Investigation Making Rounds Online Police in Stafford County have issued an alert about a phony murder investigation that's making rounds online. "The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office has been receiving multiple reports and messages regarding this post," the department said in a Tuesday, Oct. 25 Facebook post. "We want to inform you this is a fake." The post reads: "We need help identifying this young woman who was mugged, stabbed, and left for dead on the roadside in Stafford County. She is in a coma right now and deputies are not able to identify her. Let's bump this post so it may reach people who can be able to ide…

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by Nicole Acosta
Delaware
Police & Fire
Nigerian Fraudsters Used Romance Scam Vic To Try Stealing $13M From PA Schools: DA Nigerian Fraudsters Used Romance Scam Vic To Try Stealing $13M From PA Schools: DA
Nigerian Fraudsters Used Romance Scam Vic To Try Stealing $13M From PA Schools: DA Detectives intercepted a plan to steal more than $13 million from a Pennsylvania school district, authorities announced Friday, Aug. 26. Fraudsters in Nigeria apparently hacked the Chester Upland School District's email system in 2021 and sent emails to the Department of Education requesting a payment change, 6abc reports citing Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer. A woman in Florida was apparently the victim of an online romance scam involving individuals in Nigeria, who convinced her to move the stolen money to accounts overseas, authorities said. The treasurer'…

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by Cecilia Levine
South Passaic
News
Unsuspecting Victim Shot In Paterson, Dropped Off At Hospital Unsuspecting Victim Shot In Paterson, Dropped Off At Hospital
Unsuspecting Victim Shot In Paterson, Dropped Off At Hospital A robbery victim who'd apparently been lured to the area for a supposed online transaction was shot in broad daylight on a Paterson street, responders said. A vehicle dropped off the 26-year-old Paterson resident at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center moments after the shooting at East 28th Street and 7th Avenue shortly before 2 p.m. Monday, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Chief Ibrahim Baycora said. The driver then sped off, responders said. They described the vehicle as a gray 2003 Ford Expedition with a registration that comes back to a Clifton residen…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Stafford
Police & Fire
Virginia Credit Card Scammer Accessed Some 100 Accounts For Personal Gain: Sheriff's Office Virginia Credit Card Scammer Accessed Some 100 Accounts For Personal Gain: Sheriff's Office
Virginia Credit Card Scammer Accessed Some 100 Accounts For Personal Gain: Sheriff's Office A man from Stafford County was arrested for scamming multiple people and accessing around 100 different credit card accounts for months, authorities said. Richard Allen, Jr., 22. allegedly stole money from at least 12 people around the county by using their personal information to access their credit card accounts, the Stafford County Sheriff's Office said on Facebook.  An investigation started in October 2021 when deputies took a report of fraud involving someone buying auto parts online, the office said.  Three invoices were billed to addresses in Maryland, Colorado and Califor…

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by David Cifarelli
Darien
News
Don't Let Them Break Your Heart: FBI Issues Alert For Romance Scams Don't Let Them Break Your Heart: FBI Issues Alert For Romance Scams
Don't Let Them Break Your Heart: FBI Issues Alert For Romance Scams While Valentine's Day is a time for romantic gestures, the FBI has issued an alert to the public about romance scams.  The agency said in an alert on Monday, Feb. 14, that the scams take place when a criminal adopts a fake identity online to get the victim's trust and uses the close relationship to manipulate and/or steal from the victim. "The criminals who carry out romance scams are experts at what they do and will seem genuine, caring, and believable," the FBI said. "Con artists are present on most dating and social media sites." The FBI said eventually the scammer will ask the vic…

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by Nicole Valinote
Pleasantville
News
Don't Fall For Them: FBI Issues Alert For Online Shopping Scams Don't Fall For Them: FBI Issues Alert For Online Shopping Scams
Don't Fall For Them: FBI Issues Alert For Online Shopping Scams The FBI is warning the public of cybercriminals targeting shoppers hoping to take advantage of online bargains and hard-to-find gift items for the holidays. During the 2020 holiday shopping season, the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center received more than 17,000 complaints regarding the non-delivery of goods, resulting in losses of over $53 million, the agency said.  It is anticipated this number could increase during the 2021 holiday season due to rumors of merchandise shortages and the ongoing pandemic. That's why criminals are busy finding ways to entice their victims in multiple …

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by Kathy Reakes
White Plains
News
Alert Issued For Online Scams While Shopping For Back-To-School Supplies Alert Issued For Online Scams While Shopping For Back-To-School Supplies
Alert Issued For Online Scams While Shopping For Back-To-School Supplies With the new school year fast approaching and children returning to the classroom following a lost year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, parents are being cautioned to be aware of back-to-school shopping scams. As most classrooms prepare for in-person learning during the fall for the first time in more than a year, there have been reported shortages of some school merchandise, creating an opportunity for fraudsters to target parents through online scams. Sandra Guile of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) said that “what parents are challenged with at this point in time is juggling the transition…

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by Zak Failla
Ulster Sullivan
News
Alert Issued For Scam USPS Package Delivery Postponed Texts Alert Issued For Scam USPS Package Delivery Postponed Texts
Alert Issued For Scam USPS Package Delivery Postponed Texts Law enforcement officials are cautioning of a new text message "smishing" scam that involves phony messages being sent from fraudsters posing as members of the US Postal Service (USPS). Alerts have been issued by state and federal officials following recent reports from consumers who have received messages claiming to be from USPS about a change in delivery shipment. The messages typically include a link that could potentially expose one to scammers looking to steal personal identifying information. Many who click the phony link have wound up being hacked or prompted to provide new informat…

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by Zak Failla
Darien
News
Scammers May Victimize Peer-To-Peer App Users, CT Attorney General Warns Scammers May Victimize Peer-To-Peer App Users, CT Attorney General Warns
Scammers May Victimize Peer-To-Peer App Users, CT Attorney General Warns Federal and state officials are warning consumers to be vigilant when using “peer to peer” apps like CashApp, Venmo, PayPal, and Zelle to avoid losing money, giving out valuable personal information, or being victimized by scammers. Like any product, consumers must make informed decisions with regard to the use of financial technology products including the “peer to peer” applications for smartphones, otherwise known as “prepaid accounts” or “P2P account.”  P2P Apps have become increasingly popular through companies like Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, and PayPal. While these apps can be used …

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by Kathy Reakes
Bergenfield
News
Thieves Hit Bergenfield Woman With Car After Stealing PS5 During Facebook Marketplace Sale Thieves Hit Bergenfield Woman With Car After Stealing PS5 During Facebook Marketplace Sale
Thieves Hit Bergenfield Woman With Car After Stealing PS5 During Facebook Marketplace Sale A Bergenfield woman who thought she was selling a Play Station through Facebook Marketplace had it snatched from her by a group of thieves who clipped her with their car as they fled. One of the thieves took the PS5 from the 29-year-old victim at the Dunkin Donuts on South Washington Avenue and got into a silver Dodge Charger with three other occupants shortly before 6 p.m. Sunday, Detective Lt. William Duran said. The Charger then roared off, hitting the victim, he said. She wasn't injured, the lieutenant said, adding that the car struck another vehicle on South Washington Avenue as it fl…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Hackensack
Police & Fire
Feds Smash Hundreds Of Online Coronavirus Scams -- And Tell You What To Look For Feds Smash Hundreds Of Online Coronavirus Scams -- And Tell You What To Look For
Feds Smash Hundreds Of Online Coronavirus Scams -- And Tell You What To Look For Federal authorities said they've gotten help from domain providers and others in smashing hundreds of online sites exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to commit fraud and other crimes. As of Tuesday, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) had received and reviewed more than 3,600 complaints related to COVID-19 scams, the Justice Department said Wednesday. Many of them “operated from websites that advertised fake vaccines and cures, operated fraudulent charity drives, delivered malware, or hosted various other types of scams,” federal officials said in a release. To attract traffic, t…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Trumbull-Monroe
Police & Fire
Extortion Scam Involved Threat To Release Nude Photos Of Monroe Man, Police Say Extortion Scam Involved Threat To Release Nude Photos Of Monroe Man, Police Say
Extortion Scam Involved Threat To Release Nude Photos Of Monroe Man, Police Say An area man who was corresponding with an "alleged" woman online, found out the hard way not to send anyone nude photos when the woman attempted to scam him out of $2,000. Monroe Police are investigating the scam which was reported on Sunday, Oct. 27, after the man received the demand for money, said Lt. Stephen Corrone. Corrone said the man had been talking with the woman online for quite some time and had at one time sent her two $100 gift cards.  After the woman received the gift cards, the two exchanged nude photos, Corrone said. The man then received a screenshot on Facebook of …

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by Kathy Reakes
Bedford
Police & Fire
Online Employment Scam Alert Issued By State Police Online Employment Scam Alert Issued By State Police
Online Employment Scam Alert Issued By State Police Police are warning the public about a new scam involving online employment. New York State Police say the online employment scam begins with an online interview using Google Hangouts or another social media platform. Once the applicant is offered the job, they are told that they will be sent a check to purchase equipment for their new position, police say. The applicant then uses the funds to obtain money orders to pay for the supplies and deposits them into an account for a specific vendor that is named by the employer, according to police. When this process is completed, the applicant d…

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by Valerie Musson
Pelham
News
Scam Alert Issued For Websites That Try To Get You To Change Your Address Scam Alert Issued For Websites That Try To Get You To Change Your Address
Scam Alert Issued For Websites That Try To Get You To Change Your Address The United States Postal Service is investigating a new scam involving a website that charges residents to change their address. According to the USPS, they processed upwards of 40 million address changes annually in recent years, though Postal Inspectors have found that some customers paid for an address change on websites with domain names that are not associated with the Postal Service. Investigators said that the sites charge customers up to $40 to change an address, and in some cases, the change never gets officially made. The Postal Service has no affiliation with the businesses that …

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by Zak Failla
Mount Pleasant
News
FBI Warns Of Scam Targeting Car Buyers FBI Warns Of Scam Targeting Car Buyers
FBI Warns Of Scam Targeting Car Buyers If it seems too good to be true, it might be, according to federal investigators. The FBI has issued an alert cautioning area residents to be aware of a national scam involving fraudulent online classified advertisements, offering vehicles that are not for sale, and some that never have been for sale, that are allegedly in their possession. According to the FBI, the fake advertisements tend to include photos that match the description of the alleged vehicle and a phone number or email address to contact the supposed seller. Once contact is established, the fraudster sends the intended buyer…

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by Zak Failla