Maryland man lost $40,000 to ‘evil geniuses’ in ‘polished’ scam — with over 36,000 reported incidents that cost Americans $1 billion in 2024, here are the patterns you need to watch out for

Rehearsed responses and fake credentials

It started when the man saw a pop-up on his computer saying his computer had been hacked. The pop-up message included a phone number to call for tech support.

He called the number and was soon speaking with someone he thought was a Microsoft employee. He was then transferred to a woman who claimed to be from his bank. Then he was connected with another person impersonating a federal official.

Despite his skepticism, each of the imposters had rehearsed responses and fake credentials.

He recalled actually saying to one of them, “This is exactly what a scammer would do.”

“But something about her polished rhetoric came back and convinced me otherwise,” he said.

The scammers warned him not to use his phone, laptop, or email, claiming that all his devices were compromised. He was told not to speak to friends or even Google the word ‘scams’— as that could be a red flag.

Believing his accounts were at risk, he handed over $40,000 to someone he thought was a legitimate carrier. That’s when the Prince George’s County Police Department stepped in.

So when Gyoung Lee, 47, of Flushing, New York, arrived at the victim’s home expecting more cash, officers with the Financial Crimes Unit (FCU) arrested him on the scene.

Officers also arrested Parmveer Parmveer, 25, of Grove City, Ohio, in connection with the case involving a $700,000 loss.

Sgt. John Quarless of the Prince George’s County FCU said it’s important for victims not to be embarrassed because these kinds of tech scams are so common.

“What I encourage, no matter how much information you have, is to call the police and report it,” he told WTOP. “Let us do our due diligence.”

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The tech scam and red flags

According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), Americans lost $1.4 billion to tech support scams in 2024, with more than 36,000 reported incidents.

While most victims of such scams are over 60, scammers target people of all backgrounds: young and old, rich and poor, highly educated or not.

What is consistent is the con artists' approach.

“They’re going to create a sense of urgency, a sense of privacy and don’t want you to talk to anybody about it,” Sgt. Quarless said.

It’s how scammers gain control. Don’t let them. Here are red flags to watch out for.

A sense of urgency

Scammers often claim your money is in immediate danger or your account has been compromised. They’ll push you to act fast, hoping you don’t slow down and think it through. Don't fall for it. Instead, hang up the phone and talk to someone you trust. Visit the bank in person if you're worried about calling in.

Isolation tactics

Victims are frequently told not to talk to anyone — not friends, not family, not even their bank. That’s a major red flag. They're worried that if you ask for help, someone will stop their scam in its tracks. Instead, make sure you ask for help. Talk to a trusted friend, financial advisor, or bank employee.

Demands for untraceable payments

Any request for money through cash couriers, wire transfers, crypto or gift cards is a giveaway. Real businesses and agencies don’t work this way. Never send money to someone you don't know through these methods.

Offering to protect your money

Federal regulations already protect most bank accounts. Pulling the money from your account won't protect it in most cases. If someone offers to protect your money from a scam, there's an excellent chance they are the scammers. They'll say you're moving the money to a 'safe account,’ but that account belongs to them.

If you're being scammed, officials recommend slowing down, hanging up the phone and calling your bank. Look on the back of your debit or credit card for the legitimate customer service number; don't trust online pop-up ads.

Many victims stay silent, feeling ashamed that they were fooled. But speaking up like this victim did helps law enforcement track down suspects and potentially warn others before they’re targeted.