- Troy residents lost thousands of dollars recently to Scams involving fake emergencies and online fraud.
- A 46-year-old man converted $160,000 to cryptocurrency after being approached by a Facebook acquaintance and was later asked for an additional $113,000 to access his funds.
- Other incidents included scams involving bond money, cartel threats, and fake tech support calls.
- Victims ranged in age from 20 to 78 and lost money through cash, gift cards, and wire transfers.
- Police urge caution and remind the public that legitimate agencies will not request cash, cryptocurrency, or gift cards over the phone.
Police in Troy report that several local residents lost significant amounts of money in recent scams over the past weeks. Offenders used various tactics, including claims of loved ones in jail, threats involving criminal groups, and technical support fraud, to pressure victims into sending funds.
According to Troy Police Department, the largest recent case involved a 46-year-old man who transferred $160,000 in cash into cryptocurrency after an internet acquaintance he met on Facebook convinced him to do so. When he attempted to withdraw the funds, the scammer demanded an extra $113,000 for access. He recognized the fraud and stopped further transactions.
Officials detailed additional incidents: A 78-year-old woman gave $8,400 in cash to a man she believed needed money for her son’s release from jail. The caller used technology to display her son’s name on her caller ID. She later received another demand for $9,200 but contacted police after suspecting a scam.
In another case, a 29-year-old man sent $680 in cash after being told his friend was kidnapped by a cartel and threatened with harm if the money was not sent. A 20-year-old woman sent $5,500 in gift cards after a pop-up message claimed her computer was infected, providing a supposed Microsoft phone number. A 32-year-old woman also reported sending $5,000 in gift cards and an additional $1,000 in codes to someone claiming to represent Amazon regarding a fake order.
Lt. Ben Hancock of the Troy Police stated, “We continue to see scammers using fear, urgency, and technology to trick victims out of their money,” and advised the community to remain watchful.
The department emphasizes never to provide cash, cryptocurrency, or gift cards to anyone making a request by phone. “If you’re unsure, hang up and call a trusted source or the Troy Police Department before taking any action,” Hancock said.
For more insights on the vulnerability of older adults to scams, see this research article.
Additional local news includes a traffic crash investigation and updates on a recent hit-and-run case.
The Troy Police Department encourages all residents to verify any unexpected or urgent requests for money to avoid becoming victims of fraud.
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