A Des Plaines woman fell victim to a sophisticated computer scam, losing an estimated $500,000 worth of bitcoin over the course of more than a year, according to police sources.
The 76-year-old woman was first contacted in December 2023 by an individual posing as a Microsoft employee, claiming that her computer was infected with viruses. The caller promised to remove the viruses, but insisted on payment in bitcoin for the services rendered.
Des Plaines police spokesperson, Cmdr. Matt Bowler, noted that there was no indication in the reports of the woman attempting to verify the caller’s identity with Microsoft before proceeding with the transactions. The woman continued sending money to the scammer over several months, with each payment becoming progressively smaller.
It wasn’t until recently that the victim finally reached out to authorities to report the fraudulent scheme, although the exact trigger for her coming forward remains unknown. Bowler emphasized the importance of exercising caution when dealing with unfamiliar individuals over the phone.
“Unless you know the caller to be a trusted source, do not provide money or personal information to people over the phone,” he warned.
According to the latest data from the FBI, there were nearly 900,000 complaints about internet crimes in 2023, resulting in financial losses exceeding $12.5 billion. Illinois was ranked eighth among U.S. states in terms of the number of complaints received, with a total of 15,783 reported cases and financial losses amounting to $335.8 million.
To mitigate the risk of falling victim to cyber scams, the FBI recommends keeping computer systems and software up to date, as well as using reputable anti-virus programs. Users are advised not to make payments to individuals or organizations that demand immediate action and money.
For more information on cybercrime prevention, individuals can visit the FBI’s website at fbi.gov/investigate/cyber.
In conclusion, this unfortunate incident serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of being vigilant and cautious when dealing with unfamiliar individuals, especially in the digital age where scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their tactics. It is crucial for individuals to verify the authenticity of any requests for money or personal information before taking any action.