AI-Enhanced 'Virtual Kidnapping' Scam Targets Peekskill Families: Superintendent AI-Enhanced 'Virtual Kidnapping' Scam Targets Peekskill Families: Superintendent
Ai-enhanced 'Virtual Kidnapping' Scam Targets Peekskill Families: Superintendent A Northern Westchester school district is alerting families after two local households received virtual extortion calls involving scammers who claimed to have kidnapped loved ones.  In a letter to families on Wednesday, Jan. 8, Peekskill City School District Superintendent David Mauricio said two households received "Virtual Kidnapping Extortion Calls," a sophisticated scam where perpetrators falsely claim to have kidnapped a loved one and demand ransom payments.  Using artificial intelligence (AI), these scammers are now replicating family members' voices to make the threats…
Watch Out! Scammers Use 'Surveillance Video' Ploy to Demand Bitcoin In Putnam Watch Out! Scammers Use 'Surveillance Video' Ploy to Demand Bitcoin In Putnam
Watch Out! Scammers Use 'Surveillance Video' Ploy to Demand Bitcoin In Putnam Authorities in the Hudson Valley are warning residents of scammers claiming to have surveillance video of victims as part of a blackmail scheme.  In an announcement on Tuesday, Jan. 7, the Carmel Police Department in Putnam County said they had received reports of an email scam targeting those in the area.  According to the department, the scammers may include victims' accurate names and addresses in emails and will claim to have surveillance footage of them.  The sender will then request a "confidentiality tip" or "privacy tip" payment in Bitcoin, police said. To avoid fal…
Don't Fall For It: New Twist On Imposter Fraud Targets Your Money, Personal Info Don't Fall For It: New Twist On Imposter Fraud Targets Your Money, Personal Info
Don't Fall For It: New Twist On Imposter Fraud Targets Your Money, Personal Info The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is sounding the alarm on a sophisticated new imposter scheme designed to steal your money and personal information.  These scams are becoming increasingly convincing, but learning to spot the red flags can help you stay protected. How the Scam Works Initial Contact: Scammers pose as representatives from well-known companies, such as Amazon or a tech support service. They’ll claim there’s a routine issue, like suspicious charges on your account, a computer virus, or an account breach. Escalation: The scammers lie, saying your name is tied to serious …
Caught On Camera: Suspects Swap Cards In Silver Spring ATM Scam, Police Say Caught On Camera: Suspects Swap Cards In Silver Spring ATM Scam, Police Say
Caught On Camera: Suspects Swap Cards In Silver Spring ATM Scam, Police Say Detectives in Montgomery County are seeking public assistance in identifying two suspects accused of scamming victims at an ATM in Silver Spring earlier this year.  The scam was reported at the Bank of America on Connecticut Avenue in early October, prompting investigators to release surveillance photos of their suspects as they attempt to identify and locate the pair.  On Wednesday, Oct. 2, police say the first victim was approached by two men who claimed the ATM card slot was broken and advised using the tap function.  One suspect grabbed the victim’s card under the guise …
Scammers Posing As Police Demand Payments, CT Authorities Warn Scammers Posing As Police Demand Payments, CT Authorities Warn
Scammers Posing As Police Demand Payments, CT Authorities Warn Authorities in Connecticut are warning residents about phone scammers posing as police or special agents, accusing them of a crime, and demanding they pay a fine. Multiple people across the state — and even as far away as Virginia — have reported receiving calls from the Hartford Judicial District State’s Attorney Office, with someone claiming to be an "investigator" or "special agent." This so-called "agent" says the victim has been named or identified in a human trafficking, prostitution, or another criminal investigation and must pay a fine or face potential jail time. That is not how t…
Alley-Oops! George Mason Basketball Team Duped By Sham Travel Agent In $100K Scheme: Feds Alley-Oops! George Mason Basketball Team Duped By Sham Travel Agent In $100K Scheme: Feds
Alley-Oops! George Mason Basketball Team Duped By Sham Travel Agent In $100K Scheme: Feds The George Mason University men's basketball team planned an exciting summer trip to the Bahamas, but instead, they were left grounded after an Atlanta travel agent allegedly pocketed over $100,000 without booking a single ticket or hotel room. Maurice Eugene Smith, 44, is facing charges of wire fraud for allegedly scamming the Patriots out of their international trip, according to the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. In June 2023, GMU representatives began planning the trip with a company referred to as "Company A" in court records.  Smith, operating through…
Gold Bar Scammer Preying On Elderly Becomes First In Montgomery County Sentenced To Prison Gold Bar Scammer Preying On Elderly Becomes First In Montgomery County Sentenced To Prison
Gold Bar Scammer Preying On Elderly Becomes First In Montgomery County Sentenced To Prison The first gold bar scammer linked to an international crime ring targeting elderly residents in Maryland received a harsh sentence while making history in Montgomery County. On Monday, Dec. 11, Circuit Court Judge Margaret Schweitzer sentenced 26-year-old Ravinklejeet Mathon, of Rockville, to 10 years in prison, suspending all but five years, followed by five years of probation, well above the suggested guidelines for sentencing. Mathon was arrested in May after picking up the gold bars under the guise of being a courier.  The elderly victim, manipulated into believing his identity wa…
Call About $97K Gold Bar, Porn Site To Garden City Victim Lands Scammer In Handcuffs: Police Call About $97K Gold Bar, Porn Site To Garden City Victim Lands Scammer In Handcuffs: Police
Call About $97K Gold Bar, Porn Site To Garden City Victim Lands Scammer In Handcuffs: Police A phone call about a Chinese porn site ended with a suspected scammer in handcuffs. An 87-year-old Garden City woman contacted Nassau County Police at around 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2, saying a man had called and informed her that a Chinese porn website had stolen money from her bank account. In order to rectify the situation, the man told her she needed to purchase a gold bar worth $97,875 and someone would come to her home and pick it up using a secret code. Fortunately, the would-be victim contacted police before forking over any money. Fifth Precinct officers were waiting when the suspect…
Norwalk Senior Citizen Scammed Out Of $10K; Police Warn Of More Fraud Attempts Norwalk Senior Citizen Scammed Out Of $10K; Police Warn Of More Fraud Attempts
Norwalk Senior Citizen Scammed Out Of $10K; Police Warn Of More Fraud Attempts Police are urging residents to remain cautious after a local senior was scammed out of more than $10,000 in a sophisticated fraud scheme.  The scammer posed as a Microsoft representative and convinced the victim to withdraw cash from their bank account and deliver it in a package to an individual who later came to their home. A similar incident occurred in Milford last week, according to police, suggesting this scheme is targeting residents in the area. Authorities are warning the public to stay alert to scams involving supposed computer or software issues, particularly those requesti…
Phone Scam Involving Fake Jury Summons Targets Putnam Residents Phone Scam Involving Fake Jury Summons Targets Putnam Residents
Phone Scam Involving Fake Jury Summons Targets Putnam Residents Authorities are warning Hudson Valley residents about a phone scam in which callers impersonate sheriff’s office personnel and demand payment via gift cards.  The scam has been reported in Putnam County, the county's Sheriff's Office announced on Friday, Nov. 22. According to authorities, the caller claims to be “Sergeant Cook” from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and falsely states that the recipient failed to respond to a jury summons. The scammer then threatens that a warrant will be issued for the recipient’s arrest unless they pay using gift cards. The Sheriff’s Office emphasi…
Brooklyn Man Charged In $400K Gold Bar Scam Targeting Elderly Bethesda Couple, Police Say Brooklyn Man Charged In $400K Gold Bar Scam Targeting Elderly Bethesda Couple, Police Say
Brooklyn Man Charged In $400K Gold Bar Scam Targeting Elderly Bethesda Couple, Police Say A Brooklyn man is facing charges after allegedly scamming a 75-year-old Bethesda couple out of over $400,000 through a gold bar scheme, Montgomery County police announced. Yongxian Huang, 23, was arrested after posing as a federal agent and convincing the couple to convert their assets into gold bars for "safekeeping" with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, authorities said Friday, Nov. 22. The elaborate scam began in September 2024 when the victims received a fake text message claiming to be from Apple about unauthorized charges.  After contacting the number provided, the cou…
Scammer Calling Victims, Posing As Police In Westchester Scammer Calling Victims, Posing As Police In Westchester
Scammer Calling Victims, Posing As Police In Westchester Authorities in Westchester are warning residents to be wary of a caller posing as police who asks about personal information.  In an announcement on Friday, Nov. 15, the Westchester County Police Department advised residents about a scheme involving a scammer posing as officers over the phone.  According to the department, the scammer will call residents and claim to be from the "Westchester County Sheriff's Department."  They will then tell victims that they have failed to report for jury duty before seeking to "verify" personal information, police said. "This is a scam. A…