|
||
|
|
||
|
||
|
Crime Alert - Scam or Fraud |
||
|
Dear Resident,
Please be aware that we have been made aware of a Hornsea Resident being sent a laptop they haven't ordered, this can be used as part of several types of scams, please see the below for more details.
Scams involving the unexpected receipt of a laptop, or being asked to receive one, usually fall under several fraudulent schemes designed to steal money, personal information, or to turn the victim into a "money mule."
Here are the primary types of scams where an offender sends or initiates the sending of a laptop:
1. The "Reputation Management" or Remote Job Scam In this scenario, scammers contact victims (often via LinkedIn or job boards) offering a work-from-home position as a "technician" or "quality control specialist".
The Tactic: They send you a "company laptop" to work on. The Goal: You are instructed to connect the laptop to your home network, turn it on, and install specific software. The Risk: The laptop often contains malware, spyware, or remote access tools (RATs) that allow scammers to steal personal files, banking credentials, or use your internet connection to conduct illegal activities. In some cases, you are used to prep laptops with illegal content before they are passed to another victim, making you the "fall guy".
2. The "Money Mule" or Reshipping Scam Scammers purchase high-value items, such as laptops, using stolen credit card information.
The Tactic: They have the stolen item shipped directly to your house to avoid detection by law enforcement, who track shipments to known fraudulent addresses. The Goal: They will then contact you, pretending there was a "mistake," and ask you to reship the laptop to a new address (usually overseas) or to a specific person. The Risk: You are actively participating in money laundering and receiving stolen goods. You could face criminal charges.
3. Tech Support Pre-Cursor Sometimes a laptop is sent as part of a more complex, long-term tech support scam. The Tactic: The offender sends the computer and subsequently calls to say they noticed "unusual activity" or a "virus" on that machine. The Goal: To gain remote access to the machine under the guise of "fixing" it, leading to requests for payment for "software" or theft of data.
4. Overpayment and Return Scam A scammer "buys" an item from you online, but pays too much. The Tactic: They claim they accidentally sent a $3,000 cheque instead of $300, and ask you to send a laptop (or other goods) and the difference back to them immediately. The Goal: The cheque is fake and will bounce, leaving you out of pocket for both the cash and the laptop.
How to Protect Yourself Refuse the Package: If you did not order a laptop, refuse delivery. Do Not Turn It On: If you already have the laptop, do not plug it in or connect it to your Wi-Fi. Report It: Contact the police or local fraud reporting authority (e.g., Action Fraud in the UK, FTC in the US). Do Not Use Third-Party Shipping: Never follow instructions to reship packages received at your home. Never Give Remote Access: Do not allow anyone who contacts you unexpectedly to control your computer.
Thank you
Humberside Police | ||
Attachments | ||
Reply to this message | ||
|
|
