Ohio woman loses nearly $2M in scam that has prompted warnings nationwide
Scammers are targeting older relatives and friends and taking large sums of their money. One Ohio victim lost nearly $2 million, which prompted warnings across the country.
How it works
The alert does not say how the contact starts. Scammers, described as "literal gold diggers," target older family members and friends. They gain the person's trust and then steer them into handing over money. The alert does not describe the specific steps used in this case.
Red flags to watch for
- Someone new gains unusual closeness with an older relative
- Requests for money from a person met recently or online
- Pressure to keep money matters secret from family
- Large transfers to a person the family has not met
- Sudden changes in an older person's spending or finances
What to do
Do not send money or gift cards to anyone you have not verified in person, and do not let anyone rush you into a transfer. Talk with a trusted family member or friend before moving large sums. If money has already been sent, contact your bank or payment provider right away and report the scam to the FBI's IC3 at ic3.gov and to reportfraud.ftc.gov.
If this reached you
Source: WGN9 Chicago . Scam Sentinel summarizes this news report in plain language; it is a decision aid, not a guarantee.