US woman loses US$9,500 in fake police scam: ‘Caller ID can be spoofed’

A senior citizen in the United States lost nearly US$10,000 (RM47,155) in a phony police scam, as real police warn residents that “Caller ID can be spoofed.”

A 65-year-old Hingham woman reportedly fell victim to a scam, as the swindler’s Caller ID was spoofed to display the Hingham Police business phone number. She ended up losing US$9,500 (RM44,797) that she sent to the grifter via Bitcoin, police said.

Last week, the woman received a call that had a Caller ID displaying the Hingham Police business phone number. The caller said he was a Hingham cop, and told the woman she failed to appear in court on a federal summons.

The scammer, who spoke with a southern accent, said she needed to pay money immediately to avoid having the police come to her home and arrest her. The caller said she owed US$9,500, and she had to pay it in Bitcoin. The swindler also told her to stay on the phone until she completed the transaction.

She then went to her bank, where she withdrew the cash and then went to a Bitcoin ATM machine inside the local Stop & Shop. She deposited the cash into the ATM to purchase the Bitcoin.

The scammer then gave her account numbers, which the caller said belonged to Hingham Police. Once the transaction was complete, they ended the call.

Then a short time later, the scammer called back and said they found an additional federal charge. The swindler demanded for her to send another US$9,500, or she would be arrested.

She realised she was being scammed and hung up before driving to the police station.

“Remember, Caller ID can be spoofed to display any name or number,” Hingham Police posted. “The police will never call you to warn you about an arrest or threaten you with being arrested.

“The police will never ask, demand or collect money,” police added. “As in most phone scams, the caller wants you to stay on the phone with them (sometimes for hours) until the money is actually sent. This is to keep you isolated to prevent you from calling someone or checking to see if the call is legitimate.”

Police also reminded residents that they can always hang up on anyone who calls them unsolicited. – Boston Herald/Tribune News Service