Thousands of victims out there
Authorities in Nassau County say the fraud ring used a computer-based scam to target victims, often convincing them their personal information was misused to purchase child sexual abuse material.
Victims were then pressured into buying large amounts of gift cards and providing the codes to the scammers.
The fraudsters then used the gift cards to buy construction supplies, which were then sold to local plumbing and home improvement businesses.
According to a FOX5 New York report, police believe the operation carried out fraudulent transactions across more than 80 locations in New York State alone.
In addition to the staggering numbers already mentioned, the charges include $50,000 worth of copper pipes bought in one day using 50-plus gift cards and $100,000 in cash, luxury jewelry, and high-end handbags recovered from one of the accused vehicles.
The seven men have pleaded not guilty to the charges. If convicted, they each face up to 15 years in prison.
Six of the defendants have been released on cashless bail, a move that has raised concerns among law enforcement. “We have thousands of victims out there,” said Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder at a press conference. “If we’re going to be able to prosecute them, we have to keep them where they belong — and that’s in jail.”
Officials are urging the public to be on alert for phone scams. “If someone calls you claiming to be a government employee, bank representative, or working for an Internet or software company and asks for money, hang up immediately,” said Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly.
Here are some important tips for avoiding fraud.
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Protect yourself against scammers
Situations like this one are scary and can result in life-altering financial losses for victims, so what can you do to safeguard against this happening?
Know the warning signs and learn some key red flags to watch for in scams:
- Be on the lookout for unexpected emails, calls, or messages, especially if they ask for personal or financial information. Fraudsters often impersonate legitimate organizations to steal your data.
- If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Offers that promise large sums of money or prizes in exchange for upfront payments or personal information are likely scams.
- It’s all very urgent. Scammers create a sense of urgency to pressure you into making quick decisions without thinking clearly about the consequences.
You can protect yourself from fraud by taking some important steps:
- Keep an eye on your finances by checking your financial statements often
- Protect your personal information by using strong passwords for online accounts and using 2-factor authentication
- Destroy or shred financial documents when you don’t need them anymore If you do end up becoming a victim of fraud, make sure you report it to organizations such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and your local law enforcement.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the computer scam, suspecting that at least five others could be involved in the operation.
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