KANSAS CITY —Detectives in Kansas City are warning residents of a scam that has cost at least one person more than $1 million, according to an online statement from KCPD.
The scam begins with a pop-up on a computer screen with an error message stating the computer is not working properly.
The pop-up provides a phone number to call for tech support. A scammer then tells the victim their computer and financial information has been compromised. Someone impersonating a government official then contacts the victim, urging him or her to liquidate their assets into gold bars or to wire transfer funds to a Bitcoin machine. The scammers will even send a courier to pick up the gold, claiming they’re safeguarding assets.
So far, the victims police know of range from 65 to 80 years of age. KCPD detectives are working with other agencies across the country to solve this. In the meantime, police want you to be safe. If you see this scam and have not experienced a loss, click here to report it.
If you have suffered a loss, call your police department.