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Warning Issued For Nationwide Automated 'Sextortion' Scam: Here's What To Know Warning Issued For Nationwide Automated 'Sextortion' Scam: Here's What To Know
Warning Issued For Nationwide Automated 'Sextortion' Scam: Here's What To Know Authorities are warning the public of a nationwide automated scam in which scammers use people’s email addresses to coerce payments by intimidating them with threats of embarrassment. Victims of the "sextortion" scheme, usually children and teens, are manipulated to photograph or video material for extortionists. "After receiving the sexually explicit content from the child, the offender threatens to release that compromising material unless the victim produces additional explicit material," said the FBI in issuing the warning to parents, educators, caregivers, and children. In a sepa…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Dow Drops 1,000 Points: US Stock Market In Free Fall, Wiping Away Trillions In Capital Dow Drops 1,000 Points: US Stock Market In Free Fall, Wiping Away Trillions In Capital
Dow Drops 1,000 Points: US Stock Market In Free Fall, Wiping Away Trillions In Capital Investors hoping the major dip in the stock market last week was just a blip were greeted with even more losses on Monday, Aug. 5, as fears of a recession and global turmoil sent stocks tumbling. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1,200 points at one point but closed 1,000 down. The S&P 500 dropped more than 3 percent and the Nasdaq fell 3.4 percent.  The massive sell-off began on Friday after a US jobs report showed that employer hiring in July had slowed more than analysts had predicted. Investors were already on edge over fears the US Federal Reserve had left interest ra…

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by Josh Lanier
News
Scammers Posing As Well-Known Businesses, Agencies: Here's What To Know, Feds Say Scammers Posing As Well-Known Businesses, Agencies: Here's What To Know, Feds Say
Scammers Posing As Well-Known Businesses, Agencies: Here's What To Know, Feds Say Federal authorities are sounding the alarm over scams that impersonate well-known businesses and government agencies.  In 2023, data from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alone show more than 330,000 reports of business impersonation scams and nearly 160,000 reports of government impersonation scams. That amounts to nearly half the frauds reported directly to the agency, the FTC said. Combined, reported losses to these impersonation scams topped $1.1 billion for the year, more than three times what consumers reported in 2020. Reports show an increasingly blurred line between busine…

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by Joe Lombardi
Police & Fire
$3.2 Million In Elaborate Bitcoin Scam Recovered In Westport $3.2 Million In Elaborate Bitcoin Scam Recovered In Westport
$3.2 Million In Elaborate Bitcoin Scam Recovered In Westport In a rare occurrence, the Fairfield County victim of a sophisticated Bitcoin financial crime totaling $3.2. million has received their money back. The investigation began in May when Westport Police detectives received a report that a resident had fallen for the scam. The victim told detectives that in January they were convinced to move money from a retirement account into a “Kraken” cryptocurrency account, said Lt. Eric Woods, of the Westport Police. The resident reported that between January and March, over $3 million worth of Bitcoin was withdrawn and transferred to cryptocur…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
CT State Police Squad Recovers $20K In Cryptocurrency Scam CT State Police Squad Recovers $20K In Cryptocurrency Scam
CT State Police Squad Recovers $20K In Cryptocurrency Scam Last year, the Connecticut State Police Organized Crime Task Force was able to retrieve $20,000 from a $41,150 cryptocurrency or Bitcoin scam. The task force learned of a complaint from a New Haven County resident in Milford in September 2022 regarding larceny by false pretenses, the state police said. The larceny resulted in the loss of $41,150 when the victim was scammed into depositing the money into a series of Bitcoin ATM machines, state police added. The incident was also reported to the Milford Police Department, and it was determined that the task force would assume the investigati…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Police Issue Alert For Circulating Bitcoin Scam In Fairfield County Police Issue Alert For Circulating Bitcoin Scam In Fairfield County
Police Issue Alert For Circulating Bitcoin Scam In Fairfield County Police in Fairfield County are warning residents against the latest scam, this one involving Bitcoin. Fairfield Police Chief Robert Kalamaras said they learned of the latest scam when a resident alerted the department on Tuesday, Nov. 22 that they had sent $7,000 in Bitcoin currency to an unknown account prior to realizing it was a scam. The resident told officers she had received a call from an unknown male claiming to work for the fraud department of an online retailer. He told her that fraud was detected on her account and informed her that she would have to transfer her money to a Bitco…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Don't Fall For Them: Police In Connecticut Issue Alert About These Scams Don't Fall For Them: Police In Connecticut Issue Alert About These Scams
Don't Fall For Them: Police In Connecticut Issue Alert About These Scams Connecticut State Police issued an alert to residents about common cryptocurrency scams. Police shared the alert on Tuesday, Aug. 30, saying scammers often use texts, phone calls, or emails to lure victims to cryptocurrency ATMs, web-based investment sites or exchange platforms to get them to convert dollars into cryptocurrency. "A victim is often led to believe that their bank account or investments are under attack," police said. "The victim is then prompted to convert those assets to cryptocurrency and send them to a 'secure' account, which is controlled by the scammer." Police said sca…

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by Nicole Valinote
Police & Fire
Scammers Steal $26,000 From Fairfield County Resident Through Elaborate Bitcoin Scam Scammers Steal $26,000 From Fairfield County Resident Through Elaborate Bitcoin Scam
Scammers Steal $26,000 From Fairfield County Resident Through Elaborate Bitcoin Scam Scammers running an elaborate Bitcoin scheme bilked a Fairfield County resident out of more than $25,000 after allegedly hacking his computer, police said. Officers from the Darien Police Department recently met with a Hollow Tree Ridge Road resident regarding a possible computer scam. The victim told officers he was using the Internet when he noticed a pop-up that alleged his computer had been hacked, prompting him to click the link, at which point an operator advised that other sites were accessing his bank account and had secured money from it. It is alleged that the operator then claim…

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by Zak Failla
News
CT Man Sentenced For Dark Web Fentanyl Distribution CT Man Sentenced For Dark Web Fentanyl Distribution
CT Man Sentenced For Dark Web Fentanyl Distribution A Connecticut man was sentenced to more than a decade in prison for trafficking drugs on the dark web, leading to a fatal overdose, and firearm charges. Barry Duclos, age 43, of New London County, was sentenced on Tuesday, Feb. 1, to 170 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release, according to Leonard Boyle, United States attorney for the District of Connecticut. The US Attorney's Office said Duclos, a resident of Norwich, was found guilty of the following charges on July 30: Seven counts of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of fentanyl analogues Po…

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by Nicole Valinote
Business
Digital Currency Group To Relocate HQ To Fairfield County, Creating 300 Jobs Digital Currency Group To Relocate HQ To Fairfield County, Creating 300 Jobs
Digital Currency Group To Relocate HQ To Fairfield County, Creating 300 Jobs Digital Currency Group is set to relocate its headquarters from New York to Connecticut, creating more than 300 new jobs in the next five years. Gov. Ned Lamont made the announcement on Monday, Nov. 29, saying the global investment company will relocate from New York City to Stamford. The company is a leading investor in both blockchain technology companies and bitcoin, Lamont said.  According to the announcement, the new headquarters will be located at 290 Harbor Drive in Stamford after renovations are complete.  Digital Currency Group expects to occupy the new location in late…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
COVID-19: Beware Of These Five New Scammer Tactics, Utility Companies Warn COVID-19: Beware Of These Five New Scammer Tactics, Utility Companies Warn
Covid-19: Beware Of These Five New Scammer Tactics, Utility Companies Warn With the United States crossing a grim milestone as the COVID-19 death toll topped 500,000, utility companies are cautioning about new scams that have arisen in the past year as opportunistic fraudsters look to take advantage of the pandemic. Utility companies across the country have issued alerts regarding new scams as they seek to allow their customers to protect themselves from scammers exploiting the COVID-19 outbreak. According to officials, one of the largest threats involves scammers aggressively threatening to disconnect service, claiming that bills are past due, unless a payment is…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Darien Woman Loses $1.2K In Social Security Scam That Included Fake Call From Police Darien Woman Loses $1.2K In Social Security Scam That Included Fake Call From Police
Darien Woman Loses $1.2K In Social Security Scam That Included Fake Call From Police A Fairfield County woman was bilked out of more than $1,000 by a fraudster posing as a member of the United States Social Security Administration. The Darien Police Department received a complaint from a Holmes Avenue woman on Monday, Aug. 10 saying that he had been scammed by someone posing as a government agent. The scammer told the woman that she owed the Social Security Administration money, and that if payment wasn’t made, she would be incarcerated.  The woman was further advised that police in Darien would be following up on the issue to confirm the legitimacy of the call. Poli…

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by Zak Failla
News
Darien Resident Loses $900 After Being Directed To ATM In Bitcoin Scam Darien Resident Loses $900 After Being Directed To ATM In Bitcoin Scam
Darien Resident Loses $900 After Being Directed To ATM In Bitcoin Scam A man posing as a member of the Social Security Administration bilked a Fairfield County resident out of nearly $1,000. A Darien resident reported to police that on Thursday, Aug. 6, she received a phone call from a man stating he was a member of the U.S. Social Security Administration. Police said the caller told the woman that she would not be receiving her next social security check because she was being investigated for alleged drug trafficking. The caller then stated that unless the woman sent him money, sheriffs would be coming to arrest and take her into custody. The woman said that…

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by Zak Failla
News
Bitcoin Scammers Claim To Have Compromising Videos Of Victims Bitcoin Scammers Claim To Have Compromising Videos Of Victims
Bitcoin Scammers Claim To Have Compromising Videos Of Victims Bitcoin scammers have been threatening to expose sensitive videos of their victims if they are not paid off. Fraudsters have been sending spam emails that allege they have recorded video of “you getting yourself off,” which they threaten to expose if they are not paid off. The emails claim that the scammer is from out of the country, and cannot be targeted by local law enforcement. Related story - COVID-19: Cybercriminals Using New Sextortion Tactics Amid Pandemic Scammers allege that based on their potential victims’ visiting “bad” websites that infected computers with malware, they now …

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Cybercriminals Using New Sextortion Tactics Amid Pandemic COVID-19: Cybercriminals Using New Sextortion Tactics Amid Pandemic
Covid-19: Cybercriminals Using New Sextortion Tactics Amid Pandemic The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has provided cybercriminals the opportunity to get creative with their “sextortion” tactics as they exploit the pandemic, according to reports. In the past, criminals have targeted their victims by claiming they have embarrassing, salacious video proof, typically from a webcam, of a person watching sexual content. The scammers then seek to extort immediate payment in bitcoin or gift cards, threatening that otherwise, the alleged content will be disseminated on the Internet. However, according to new information released by the cybersecurity analysi…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
COVID-19: Alert Issued For Scam Involving Blackmail Threat Over Release Of Private Video COVID-19: Alert Issued For Scam Involving Blackmail Threat Over Release Of Private Video
Covid-19: Alert Issued For Scam Involving Blackmail Threat Over Release Of Private Video With more and more people working from home during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, law enforcement agencies are warning of a new online blackmailing scheme. There have been reports of a new scam that involves an email from a scammer to a victim claiming that they are in possession of recorded webcam footage of the victim watching pornography. According to police, the scammer implies that he has malware/remote access to a victim’s computer to record video. The suspect then threatens to share the alleged footage with the victim’s Facebook friends and family unless the victim pays the…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Police Issue Alert For 'Sextortion' Phishing Scam In Fairfield County Police Issue Alert For 'Sextortion' Phishing Scam In Fairfield County
Police Issue Alert For 'Sextortion' Phishing Scam In Fairfield County Police in Fairfield County are warning residents of recently reported "sextortion" phishing scams and remind them of important safety tips to avoid being scammed. According to Fairfield Police Chief Christopher Lyddy, in recent weeks, the Connecticut Intelligence Center (CTIC) has received reports of "sextortion" scams that involve victims receiving an email from a purported hacker claiming to have hacked their computer and filmed them watching pornography.  The scammer then threatens to forward the material to all of the victim's contacts unless the victim pays a Bitcoin ransom, Lyddy…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
NY, CT Residents Among Hundreds Charged In Takedown Of Largest Darknet Child Porn Website NY, CT Residents Among Hundreds Charged In Takedown Of Largest Darknet Child Porn Website
NY, CT Residents Among Hundreds Charged In Takedown Of Largest Darknet Child Porn Website Men from Connecticut and New York are among those charged in the takedown of the largest Darknet child pornography website. Jong Woo Son, 23, a South Korean national, was indicted this week for his operation of Welcome To Video, the largest child exploitation market by volume of content, officials said. Son has also been charged and convicted in South Korea and is currently in custody serving his sentence in South Korea.   An additional 337 site users residing in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jers…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Scammer Poses As Social Security Administration, Police In Separate Calls To Westport Woman Scammer Poses As Social Security Administration, Police In Separate Calls To Westport Woman
Scammer Poses As Social Security Administration, Police In Separate Calls To Westport Woman Police are warning residents about a Social Security scam that allegedly victimized an individual in Westport. Police say that on April 22, the Westport resident received a phone call from someone purporting to work for the Social Security Administration using what appeared on the caller identification as a legitimate phone number for the Social Security Administration.  The caller reportedly told the resident her social security number was being used fraudulently in another state, according to police.  The caller also knew her name and correct social security number, said police…

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by Donna Christopher
News
Warning Issued By FBI For Blackmail Threats Involving Porn Surfing, Infidelity Warning Issued By FBI For Blackmail Threats Involving Porn Surfing, Infidelity
Warning Issued By FBI For Blackmail Threats Involving Porn Surfing, Infidelity The FBI has issued a warning as a result of blackmail threats that involve porn surfing and infidelity, officials say. The newly emerging scam is typically initiated when a scammer sends an anonymous email claiming that they have uncovered evidence showing that the recipient committed adultery or watched pornographic materials. The “blackmail scam” proceeds when the scammer threatens to reveal the evidence to the recipient’s spouse, family and friends and demands payment in exchange for keeping quiet. In an extra effort to stay anonymous, the scammer typically demands payment through bitc…

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by Valerie Musson
News
Man Sentenced For Stealing Bitcoins In Dark Web Phishing Scheme Man Sentenced For Stealing Bitcoins In Dark Web Phishing Scheme
Man Sentenced For Stealing Bitcoins In Dark Web Phishing Scheme An area man will spend time behind bars for fraud and money laundering offenses in connection to a scheme to steal bitcoins in an online phishing scam. Michael Richo, of New Haven, and formerly of Wallingford, has been sentenced in Hartford federal court to a term of 12 months and one day in prison, followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to one count of access device fraud and one count of money laundering. Richo admitted to engaging in an online phishing scheme to steal bitcoins from people on the dark web, U.S. Attorney John Durham announced. Richo carried out…

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by Zak Failla
News
Two Sentenced For Illegal Manufacture, Distribution Of Xanax, Steroids On Dark Web Two Sentenced For Illegal Manufacture, Distribution Of Xanax, Steroids On Dark Web
Two Sentenced For Illegal Manufacture, Distribution Of Xanax, Steroids On Dark Web Two men have been sentenced for conspiring to manufacture and distribute phony Xanax tablets and anabolic steroids that were distributed over the dark web in Connecticut. William Fusco, of Philadelphia, has been sentenced to 20 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, while Norwich resident Jason Chen has been sentenced to there years probation for their roles in the distribution and manufacturing of the counterfeit drugs. U.S. Attorney John Durham said that Fusco marketed counterfeit Xanax tablets and anabolic steroid pills on dark web forums such as Alphabay. Fusco…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Info Released On Darien Victim Of Nationwide Bitcoin Bomb Threat Hoax Info Released On Darien Victim Of Nationwide Bitcoin Bomb Threat Hoax
Info Released On Darien Victim Of Nationwide Bitcoin Bomb Threat Hoax A Darien wine shop was one of the thousands of businesses last week that received a bomb threat email that asks for Bitcoin currency. The incident took place around 1:36 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, when SipStirs, at 1053 Post Road, notified Darien Police they had received an email, said Darien Police. The complainant informed officers that he received an email from an unknown party indicating that an explosive device had been secreted at that address. The email stated that unless the recipient transferred $20,000 in Bitcoin currency to an account, the explosive would be detonated. Th…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Sandy Hook Elementary Receives Bomb Threat On 6th Anniversary Of Massacre Sandy Hook Elementary Receives Bomb Threat On 6th Anniversary Of Massacre
Sandy Hook Elementary Receives Bomb Threat On 6th Anniversary Of Massacre Sandy Hook Elementary School students were sent home Friday morning after the school received a bomb threat on the sixth anniversary of a mass shooting that left 20 first-graders and six educators dead. School personnel reported the threat to Newtown Police around 9 a.m. Friday, said Lt. Aaron Bahamonde. Police went to Sandy Hook School to investigate the threat and it is currently being investigated by members of the Newtown Police Department, he said. "The school was safely and orderly evacuated for precautionary reasons and so that a thorough sweep of the school could be performed," Ba…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Hundreds Of Bomb Threats Sent To Schools, Businesses In Area, Nation Hundreds Of Bomb Threats Sent To Schools, Businesses In Area, Nation
Hundreds Of Bomb Threats Sent To Schools, Businesses In Area, Nation Fear and panic spread across the country on Thursday, as a bomb threat asking for thousands of dollars in bitcoin payment made the rounds through a series of emails. Law enforcement officials are investigating hundreds of bomb threats that targeted schools and businesses nationwide on Thursday, Dec. 13, including several in New York and Connecticut. According to reports, multiple Hudson Valley businesses were targeted and those threats were also deemed not credible. “Please be advised - there is an email being circulated containing a bomb threat asking for bitcoin payment. While this email…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Hiding Something From Your Spouse? Don't Fall For This Scam Hiding Something From Your Spouse? Don't Fall For This Scam
Hiding Something From Your Spouse? Don't Fall For This Scam Are you hiding something from your spouse?  If so, don't fall for a generic form blackmail letter going out to residents in New Canaan, elsewhere in Fairfield County and across the region. A Daily Voice reader received one and shared it with us.  The letter, which was addressed by name to the recipient, is pretty threatening in the way the blackmailer gets right to the point about anything salacious or even illegal the person may have done in the past and is hiding. "I'm going to cut to the chase," it begins. "I know about the secret you are keeping from your wife and every…

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by Kathy Reakes