In a recent public service announcement from the Coppell Police Department, it was revealed that scammers had hacked a resident's Facebook account and used it to commit fraud. The victim's dilemma unfolded after cyber thieves gained control of her email and altered her contact information, opening a door to her social network which they promptly exploited to scam other users out of money. As reported through the Coppell Police Department's Facebook post, the swindler put on a charade, masquerading as the account owner, and posted fraudulent sales on various group pages.
According to the police department, unsuspecting victims were lured into the scam with a concocted sob story and the promise of high-value items for sale at alluring prices. The malefactor "tagged" other users in their posts to spread the net wider, requesting a deposit for the advertised - typically unavailable - merchandise. The deceitful posts could be noticed by their poor language skills, a common red flag. The real owner of the account has been rendered powerless to reclaim her Facebook persona, while the sham artist continues the lucrative scheme.
The police insist on the importance of exercising caution when engaging with seemingly familiar faces online. "Scammers will hack accounts, posing as someone on your friends list. When they do, they come up with a sad story, usually followed by multiple large ticket items for sale," warns the Coppell Police Department. If an online offer triggers suspicion, people are advised to attempt direct voice communication with the presumed friend or to send a private message.
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