MJP –
A South Euclid woman lost $23,000 in a sophisticated scam, prompting police to issue a warning about the fraudulent scheme.
Officer Joe Di Lillo Jr. described the incident as “heartbreaking,” revealing how a multi-layered con targeted the 76-year-old resident. The scam began on October 29 when the woman received an email that appeared to be from her credit card company.
The message claimed her bank account had been compromised and warned that her Social Security number had been found on the “dark web.” The email urged her to act quickly to protect her funds.
The scammers seemed to know the exact amount of money in her bank account, making the situation even more alarming. After receiving the email, the woman believed she was communicating with her identity theft protection company, but she was still interacting with the fraudsters.
The scammers instructed her to withdraw money from her bank account, and they remained on the phone with her while she visited three bank branches in Mayfield Heights, South Euclid, and Beachwood to take out the cash.
They instructed her to meet an “undercover agent” in a parking lot near a Starbucks on Mayfield Road, where she handed over the money for a new account setup.
The scammers told her that the FBI was aware of the situation, claiming it was a scam operation and that she shouldn’t speak to anyone about it. Using intense pressure and scare tactics, they convinced her to comply.
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The woman realized she had been scammed the following day when she tried to follow up on her new account. Surveillance footage from nearby cameras captured the exchange, but the video wasn’t clear enough to identify the suspect.
The individual is described as being of Middle-Eastern descent, around 5-foot-9 with an average build and a beard, wearing a light-colored baseball hat, dark jeans, a dark zip-up jacket, and a green vest.
“It’s disturbing that it worked. Unfortunately, they work hard to pull these scams off,” said Di Lillo. Police are actively investigating the case and are urging the public to share this story to raise awareness.
Authorities want to remind everyone, especially the elderly, to be cautious when asked to withdraw large sums of money.
Police emphasize that legitimate agencies, including the FBI and banks, would never pressure individuals to make such transactions. They also advise that personal information found online should not be trusted blindly, as it is often readily accessible.
If anyone receives a phone call or email requesting significant amounts of money, authorities recommend contacting local police, family members, or an attorney immediately. The woman has filed a complaint with her bank, but police stated it is unlikely she will recover the funds, as she willingly withdrew the money.
“This is really sad,” Di Lillo said, stressing the importance of vigilance against such scams.
