Sheriff Kevin J. McConville wants to inform county residents about a recent scam that targeted a local family.
On January 13, 2025, the victim received a fraudulent email that appeared to be from PayPal. The email claimed an account had been opened in their name with a charge of approximately $400. After calling the number in the email, the victim unknowingly engaged with a suspect posing as PayPal support, who granted access to their computer and personal information.
The scam escalated when the suspect deceived the victim into thinking they needed to withdraw $40,000 from the bank to fix the issue. The victim complied, handing the cash to an unknown individual who arrived at their home to collect it. The suspect then attempted to prolong the scam by claiming additional mistakes had been made and demanding even more money.
We urge everyone to remain vigilant and cautious when receiving unsolicited emails or phone calls. Always verify the caller's identity, and never share personal information or grant access to your devices. If you suspect you are being targeted by a scam, please report it to local authorities immediately. Your safety and security are our top priority!