A man is said to have disappeared with $2,950 (Ksh. 300,162) he got from an elderly woman through an internet scam.
Michael Alfredo Garcia apparently met the woman in September on a dating site known as Plenty of Fish.
According to the Kingsport Police Department, the man claimed to be an orthopedic surgeon who was contracted by the U.S. Army to cater to soldiers stationed in Baghdad.
Michael told the woman he was retiring and needed some money to have his personal belongings shipped from Iraq to her apartment.
He gave her the details of someone he claimed was a friend of his who would receive the money on his behalf.
The woman then sent several cashier’s checks to the friend who was supposed to arrange the shipment through a company called Skyline Courier Service.
Michael’s property however never arrived at the woman’s apartment and she was unable to reach him after that.
According to Times News, for you to avoid being scammed:
1) The scammer asks for money and personal information
2) A search on Google reveals that the company or product is linked to a fraud
3) Unverified caller ID
4) The scammer asks for upfront payment for services/goods
5) The scammer asks you to wire funds or send mobile money
6) Con artist wants you to make decisions in a hurry
7) Recorded sales pitch
8) Promises of free trials of product with no information on cancellation policy
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