Scam Alert
July 18, 2023 - Placer County Sheriff's Office officials report update on recent area scam.
‼️UPDATE: We are aware there have been people commenting and claiming they offer services to combat online scams. Please exercise caution and follow our tips to ensure you don’t end up becoming a victim of fraud.
There is a computer virus scam currently circulating in our area, posing a threat to unsuspecting individuals. We have received three separate complaints in recent weeks, exposing that the perpetrators behind this scam have made a profit exceeding $100,000.
One victim shared her unsettling encounter with our deputies, recounting how her computer abruptly froze, leaving her with a message allegedly sent by Microsoft. This message urged her to immediately contact a specified phone number. Placing her trust in what appeared to be a legitimate request, she found herself in a conversation with an individual who identified himself as "Nick" from the U.S. Department of Treasury. "Nick" claimed the victim was required to pay him $20,000 in cash. She was pressured into withdrawing an additional $40,000 from her bank, despite already having withdrawn $20,000. The victim was only able to get the $40,000 in the form of a check, which “Nick” refused. "Nick" guided the victim to discreetly place the withdrawn $20,000 in cash into two separate envelopes, concealed within shoes stored inside a shoebox. The final act required the victim to hand the cash over to a designated representative at the Raley's on Lincoln Way, in Auburn.
Tragically, this victim suffered a loss of $20,000 and continues to be harassed with calls from the suspect, who persistently demands additional funds. Our dedicated detectives are actively investigating this case. In the meantime, we feel compelled to share essential preventative measures to safeguard you from falling victim to this scam:
- Listen to your intuition and if something feels off, it more than likely is.
- Never give out any personal information.
- Do your own research to find contact information for the company that is claiming payment from you.
- Be on guard. Scams will never go away; there is a new, clever scam being devised every day.
- Consult people you trust.
Source: Placer County Sheriff's Office
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