Is it a scam? ERROR ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION! If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If it does not make sense,
resist. Always be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
In June of 2025, a resident came to the Police Station to report a possible scam. In May of this year, the victim received
a pop-up notification on their computer. The pop-up informed the victim their computer was compromised and listed a phone
number for the victim to call. Due to the pop-up, the victim was unable to use their computer and, therefore, called the
listed phone number. The victim was advised that their computer and bank accounts had been hacked, and they needed to
protect their money by purchasing gold. The people the victim dealt with on the phone attempted to arrange a pick-up for
the gold. The victim received calls daily for six weeks, sometimes several times a day. Luckily, this resident realized
something wasn’t right and contacted law enforcement before losing any money. The one thing that stood out, the victim
said, “They sounded so convincing.”
Does that sound familiar? What about text messages from unknown phone numbers stating they may have a job opening for you,
your bank account has been compromised, you owe a fee for a “Toll Road,” or any easy money opportunities? Have you received
a phone call stating you have a warrant for your arrest, a family member has been arrested and/or held hostage? Any emails
saying, “Payment declined.” Your Netflix account will be removed; Your iCloud Account has been blocked! Your photos and
videos will be deleted? Or perhaps you’ve noticed social media posts advertising houses for rent at an incredible price or
items for sale on Craigslist, OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace, or other online community sale sites. These are all common
tactics used by scammers to lure in their victims.
When dealing with any interaction utilizing technology, always be mindful of what information you are receiving and more
importantly, what information you are giving.
• Nationally known and legitimate businesses will not demand payment by cryptocurrency, prepaid cards, wire transfers, or
overnight mailed cash, or courier services to collect any payments.
• Legitimate customer, security, or tech support companies will not initiate unsolicited contact with individuals, nor
demand immediate payment or require payment via prepaid cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, mailed cash and/or use
courier services.
• Legitimate lotteries and beneficiaries do not need to pay upfront taxes and fees to claim a prize or inheritance. Playing
foreign lotteries in any form is a violation of federal law.
• Be careful what you download. Never open an email attachment from someone you do not know and be wary of email
attachments forwarded to you.
• Make sure all computer anti-virus and security software and malware protections are up to date. Use reputable anti-virus
software and firewalls. Disconnect from the internet and shut down your device if you see a pop-up message or locked
screen. Pop-ups are regularly used by perpetrators to spread malicious software. Enable pop-up blockers to avoid
accidentally clicking on a pop-up.
• Be careful what you post and make public online. Scammers can use details shared on social media and dating sites to
better understand and target you.
• Request to see an item in person. Ask for additional photographs and/or videos when attempting to purchase something
prior to any downpayment.
If you are unsure whether you are dealing with a scam, STOP! THERE IS NO RUSH! For assistance, you can contact the
Camarillo Police Station at 805-388-5100, the Federal Bureau of Investigation at www.ic3.go and/or the Federal Trade
Commission at www.ftc.gov.
Prepared by: Detective Luke Riordan
News Release Date: June 18, 2025
Approved by: Captain Jason Hendren
