Incident #: 2106019176
Type: FRAUD-NOT IN PROG
Time Received: 06/17/2021 01:11:48
Service: POLICE
NLCRPD patrol district: L86 SECTOR 21 CLAY TWP P869
Primary Agency: NORTHERN LANCASTER COUNTY REGIONAL POLICE DEPARTMENT
Responsible Unit: P86-6
Location: W MT AIRY RD
Municipality: CLAY TOWNSHIP
Cross Streets: FOREST HILL RD/LEED HILL RD
Latitude: 40.2385881908526
Longitude: -76.2403950256481

NLCRPD is investigating the fraudulent use of electronic communications to scam a 78-year-old Clay Township resident out of over $27,000.00 The reporting party stated the fraud began with her receiving a text message from an unknown number on June 15th, 2021, at 1211 hours stating to her that an IPAD had been purchased by her and to contact a phone listing that was provided if the transaction was fraudulent. The reporting party stated that she called the pre-provided telephone number and spoke with a male who spoke with what was described as an Asian Indian accent.

This individual informed the reporting party she was being scammed and could not tell anyone due to the suspects working at her bank and possibly being close friends of the victim. The cyber thief continued to contact the victim via phone. The cyber thief directed the victim to download a specific phone app and the victim did as instructed. The victim stated that she had two money market accounts with a bank both with approximately $20,000 in each account for a total of $40,000.

The cyber thief told victim to withdrawal a significant portion of the money in those accounts which was estimated to be approximately $37,000. The victim indicated that she drove to the bank and withdrew the funds while the subject was listening on the phone monitoring the banking transaction taking place.

The victim was directed to several Bitcoin exchange where Bitcoin transactions were made transferring over $27,000.00 in funds to the cyber thief. The NLCRPD Criminal Investigation Unit and other criminal justice agencies are investigating this fraud. The assigned investigator is Detective Matthew Hinkle please refer to NLCRPD case number is 86-21-04684

Anyone with information on the subjects responsible or who may have been victimized by a similar criminal scheme is requested to contact the NLCRPD via the agency web page and Crimewatch Reporting tabs.