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Scams

Police & Fire
Scammers Threatening Victims With Arrest, Impersonating Officers In Westchester Scammers Threatening Victims With Arrest, Impersonating Officers In Westchester
Scammers Threatening Victims With Arrest, Impersonating Officers In Westchester Residents in Westchester are being warned about phone scammers impersonating police and tricking victims into handing over money.  The warning was issued on Friday, Dec. 13 after the Yonkers Police Department received reports of scammers "spoofing" official department phone numbers, including the 1st Precinct at (914) 377-7477.  According to police, the scammers call individuals and either threaten them with arrest unless a fake fine is paid or request fraudulent donations to the department. "The Yonkers Police Department will NEVER call you to demand payment," officials sai…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Holiday Deals Or Fraud? IRS Issues Warning For These Scams Holiday Deals Or Fraud? IRS Issues Warning For These Scams
Holiday Deals Or Fraud? IRS Issues Warning For These Scams As the holiday shopping season begins, the IRS reminds everyone that it’s not just your credit card balance you need to watch — it’s also your personal information. As part of its ninth annual National Tax Security Awareness Week, the IRS is warning taxpayers about a rise in holiday scams.  The scammers aren’t interested in gifts under your tree; they’re after your Social Security number and financial information instead. Here’s how scammers are getting creative—and how you can stay safe: Phishing Emails: Be wary of emails pretending to be from reputable retailers, shipping companie…

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by Joe Lombardi
Police & Fire
Don’t Be Fooled: Police Warn Of Email Scammers Ahead Of Holidays Don’t Be Fooled: Police Warn Of Email Scammers Ahead Of Holidays
Don’t Be Fooled: Police Warn Of Email Scammers Ahead Of Holidays Police in New York are warning residents to beware scammers heading into the holidays. In a public service announcement Wednesday, Nov. 13, Nassau County Police were especially concerned about computer scams that claim someone’s bank or shopping account was “hacked.” Other scams include phony computer viruses and software updates, unsolicited job offers, fake lotto prizes, and bogus overdue notices from purported utility companies. “Legitimate agencies never ask for immediate payment via gift cards and never come to your home to collect cash,” the agency said. Police warned that the follo…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
NY Woman Cleans Out Bank Account To Fraudster Posing As Federal Agent, Police Say NY Woman Cleans Out Bank Account To Fraudster Posing As Federal Agent, Police Say
NY Woman Cleans Out Bank Account To Fraudster Posing As Federal Agent, Police Say A months-long investigation has led to the arrest of a man who authorities say impersonated a federal agent and used fear and intimidation to convince a Long Island victim to hand over money. On Friday, Oct. 25, the suspect, Om Parkash, age 31, of Queens, was charged with second-degree grand larceny (a Class C felony). In late July of 2023, Parkash contacted the victim in Sag Harbor stating she was involved in a fraud scheme involving large amounts of money, according to New York State Police.  From there, Parkash advised the victim she would have to give money to “federal a…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Scammers Are Creating Fake Customer Service Numbers In Google Searches: What To Know Scammers Are Creating Fake Customer Service Numbers In Google Searches: What To Know
Scammers Are Creating Fake Customer Service Numbers In Google Searches: What To Know New reports reveal that scammers are trying to trick Google into showing their fake numbers pretending to offer reputable services, and many are getting away with it. Google sometimes highlights impostors during searches for airlines, banks, as well as local businesses, according to a brand-new report in The Washington Post. A victim who called what Google listed as Coinbase customer support was scammed out of $100,000 in 20 minutes by an impostor, Fortune reports. Google told The Washington Post that it uses several methods to determine whether business listings are legitimate, inclu…

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by Joe Lombardi
Politics
NY Voters Beware: Erroneous Polling Site Info Being Pushed By Text Scammers NY Voters Beware: Erroneous Polling Site Info Being Pushed By Text Scammers
NY Voters Beware: Erroneous Polling Site Info Being Pushed By Text Scammers Voters in New York are being warned about scammers who are trying to confuse them ahead of the state’s primary elections. The New York State Board of Elections has received reports from voters across the state who have received unsolicited text messages from an outside group pushing incorrect polling place information. “The State Board would like to remind voters that the best place to get information about elections and voting is directly from the New York State Board of Elections and the County Boards of Elections,” the agency said in a press release Monday, June 24. “Voters are enc…

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by Michael Mashburn
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
Business
Mother's Day Scams: BBB Warns NYers Of Fake Gifts, Shops Mother's Day Scams: BBB Warns NYers Of Fake Gifts, Shops
Mother's Day Scams: BBB Warns NYers Of Fake Gifts, Shops Long Islanders looking for last-minute gifts for Mom should keep an eye out for potential scams, business officials warned. The Metro New York branch of the Better Business Bureau (BBB), a non-profit organization reviewing the trustworthiness of businesses, encouraged residents in the region to do their research when purchasing Mother’s Day gifts. The BBB’s Tuesday, April 30 announcement comes after the organization announced that three Long Island florists were being investigated for running alleged scams. One such business is on Long Island at Sarata Flowers, a Melville florist that, a…

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by Sophie Grieser
Police & Fire
Police Warn Of Unlicensed 'Contractors' Soliciting Business In Westchester Police Warn Of Unlicensed 'Contractors' Soliciting Business In Westchester
Police Warn Of Unlicensed 'Contractors' Soliciting Business In Westchester A police department in Westchester is warning residents to be wary of unlicensed contractors going door-to-door in an attempt to solicit large upfront payments.  In an announcement on Thursday, April 11, the City of Rye Police Department issued a warning to residents concerning the unlicensed "contractors" that have been seen in the city.  According to police, the contractors will knock on residents' doors and claim they happened to be in the neighborhood. They will then offer to perform work such as sealing driveways, building new steps, or other similar jobs.  The fraudste…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Don't Fall For It: Driveway Paving Scams On Rise In NY Don't Fall For It: Driveway Paving Scams On Rise In NY
Don't Fall For It: Driveway Paving Scams On Rise In NY Police are warning of an uptick in scammers hoping to take advantage of the warmer spring weather. Each year, agencies across the country see an increase in complaints about fraudsters who bait homeowners with driveway paving services, according to the North Greenbush Police Department in New York. “As the trees sprout leaf buds and the daffodils peek out of their underground hiding, so must the scam artists offering to pave or sealcoat your driveway for the low low price of only five times what it would cost for a legitimate business to do it,” the agency said on Facebook. “And they must b…

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by Michael Mashburn
Police & Fire
2 Unlicensed Scammers Performing Substandard House Work Nabbed In Westchester: Police 2 Unlicensed Scammers Performing Substandard House Work Nabbed In Westchester: Police
2 Unlicensed Scammers Performing Substandard House Work Nabbed In Westchester: Police Two unlicensed workers were taken into custody after returning to perform substandard work in a Northern Westchester neighborhood, police announced. New, updated report - Update: More Details Emerge About Unlicensed Contractors Nabbed In Yorktown: Police The events leading up to the arrests began in Yorktown on Tuesday morning, March 19, when the Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection staged resources in the area of Curry Street and Jefferson Court after receiving reports of a scam involving unlicensed workers.  According to Yorktown Police, the two workers returned…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Scammer Posing As Pastor, Asking For Gift Cards In Hudson Valley, Police Warn Scammer Posing As Pastor, Asking For Gift Cards In Hudson Valley, Police Warn
Scammer Posing As Pastor, Asking For Gift Cards In Hudson Valley, Police Warn Authorities in the region are warning residents to be aware of a scammer who has been posing as a pastor to convince victims to send them gift cards.  The Putnam County Sheriff's Office is currently investigating several incidents of the scam, authorities announced.  According to the Sheriff's Office, the scheme consists of a scammer calling residents and pretending to be a pastor from an unidentified church in Carmel.  The scammer will then ask the victims to send them gift cards by taking pictures of the ID numbers with their cellphones, sheriff's deputies said. Anyone wh…

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by Ben Crnic
News
New Yorkers At Risk Of Scam Calls, Attorney General Warns New Yorkers At Risk Of Scam Calls, Attorney General Warns
New Yorkers At Risk Of Scam Calls, Attorney General Warns As New Yorkers across the state report being contacted by scammers impersonating their banks, officials are cautioning consumers to keep their eyes peeled. In a statement on Friday, Oct. 27, NY Attorney General Letitia James provided tips to avoid getting scammed by callers pretending to be bank or government officials. “Scammers claiming to be a trusted bank, or any institution relied on for financial services, can seriously harm New Yorkers by taking their money and their personal information,” she said. James said the Office of the Attorney General has been receiving calls from New Y…

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by Sophie Grieser
Police & Fire
Be Wary Of New Scams Involving Law Enforcement In Hudson Valley Be Wary Of New Scams Involving Law Enforcement In Hudson Valley
Be Wary Of New Scams Involving Law Enforcement In Hudson Valley With scams everywhere today, even police departments can be used to get money from unsuspecting or vulnerable people. The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office warns of a new scam circulating that involves scammers posing as law enforcement.  In at least one case the scammer posed as a sergeant and sent the victim a text implying that they owe $5,000, said Capt. John Watterson of the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office. "If you receive a text or message similar to this one it is most assuredly a scam; delete it immediately and do not follow the instructions in it or click …

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Scammer Posing As Relative Caught After Trying To Steal Thousands From Victim In Tarrytown: DA Scammer Posing As Relative Caught After Trying To Steal Thousands From Victim In Tarrytown: DA
Scammer Posing As Relative Caught After Trying To Steal Thousands From Victim In Tarrytown: DA Four scammers were caught in the same week in Westchester after posing as victims' relatives or friends to try and steal thousands of dollars from them, officials said.  The four individuals who were arrested were allegedly participating in schemes known as "grandparent scams," in which a scammer will pose as a victim's relative or friend in need of urgent assistance, Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocah announced on Wednesday, April 26.  The scams usually target elderly victims, Rocah said.  Earlier Report - Scammer Poses As Victim's Friend, Asks for $15K, Get…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Police Department In Westchester Investigating Separate Scams In Matter Of Days Police Department In Westchester Investigating Separate Scams In Matter Of Days
Police Department In Westchester Investigating Separate Scams In Matter Of Days Police in Northern Westchester are investigating three scams that came to the department's attention within a matter of days. The incidents took place in Croton-on-Hudson beginning on Thursday, Aug. 18 with the last being reported on Monday, Aug. 22. During the first incident, a resident reported receiving multiple FedEx notices in the mail from what appeared to be her mortgage company requesting her banking information, the department reported. The woman contacted her mortgage company, who said that they did not request such information. The resident did not provide her information but wa…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Police Issue New Warning For 'Difficult To Investigate' Scams Police Issue New Warning For 'Difficult To Investigate' Scams
Police Issue New Warning For 'Difficult To Investigate' Scams Police are warning the public about a new increase in scams that are "difficult to investigate." The scams, which take place all over the country, have also been reported region. "Even though the police may be made aware of these types of cases, they can be difficult to investigate because many times the suspects are in another country or quickly leave the scene where very little suspect information is available," the Trumbull Police Department in Fairfield County, Connecticut, said. Here's a list of the types of scams: The caller claimed to be a family member that has an illness or was …

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Authorities Warn Hudson Valley Residents About Post-Storm Scams Authorities Warn Hudson Valley Residents About Post-Storm Scams
Authorities Warn Hudson Valley Residents About Post-Storm Scams State and local authorities are warning Hudson Valley residents who were impacted by the recent Nor'easter to be careful of scams when it comes to repairs or cleanup. New York's Attorney General Letitia James has put out a warning to residents and is asking them to be careful of scammers who are taking advantage of those in need. She offered the following tips to help keep scammers at bay: Never pay the full price upfront: Establish a payment schedule and adhere to it and withhold final payment until the entire project is completed to your satisfaction and all required insp…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Don't Fall For Them: State Police Issue Alert On Scams Asking For Large Sums Of Money Don't Fall For Them: State Police Issue Alert On Scams Asking For Large Sums Of Money
Don't Fall For Them: State Police Issue Alert On Scams Asking For Large Sums Of Money Police have issued an alert about recent scams targeting residents for large sums of money in New York State. In the past month, state police in Columbia County have been investigating reports of a scam where callers pretend that the victim's grandchild or relative has been arrested and a bail bondsman needs to be paid, New York State Police reported. Police said in certain cases, as much as $30,000 has been requested. In a recent incident, victims left $12,000 outside of their home to be picked up. Victims have also sent the money through the mail. State Police said scammers have also re…

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by Nicole Valinote
Lifestyle
Police In Hudson Valley Issue Alert For Amazon, Fake Order Scams Police In Hudson Valley Issue Alert For Amazon, Fake Order Scams
Police In Hudson Valley Issue Alert For Amazon, Fake Order Scams Police agencies in the Hudson Valley are cautioning homeowners to be on alert following a recent rise in scams involving fake emails and Amazon orders. The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office issued an alert on Thursday, Aug. 19 to advise residents of Dutchess County and surrounding areas about scams that once again seem to be on the rise.   According to law enforcement officials, the latest scam involves victims receiving an email about an order they’ve placed with a number to call with questions, and because they never placed an order the victim calls the number to speak with someone. …

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by Zak Failla
Business
Hundreds Of Unexpected Amazon Packages Delivered To Home In New York Hundreds Of Unexpected Amazon Packages Delivered To Home In New York
Hundreds Of Unexpected Amazon Packages Delivered To Home In New York Hundreds of unexpected and unwanted packages from Amazon were sent to a New York home as part of what could potentially be a scam, officials said. Dozens of boxes arrived daily from Amazon, UPS and FedEx were delivered to upstate New York resident Jillian Canaan recently, despite her and her family not ordering any packages. According to WIVB-TV, Canaan, who runs a studio in the Buffalo area, initially believed that the packages could be for the family’s studio, but upon closer inspection, she found that while it was her home address listed on the boxes, it wasn’t in her name. Inside the …

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Beware Of These Vaccine, Stimulus Scams, NY Attorney General Says COVID-19: Beware Of These Vaccine, Stimulus Scams, NY Attorney General Says
Covid-19: Beware Of These Vaccine, Stimulus Scams, NY Attorney General Says Opportunistic fraudsters have been taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic recently, prompting Attorney General Letitia James to issue a warning to New Yorkers. James said that New Yorkers should remain vigilant about scams related to the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically vaccine and stimulus check schemes that have become more prevalent as the country combats the spread of the virus. 
“As more New Yorkers become eligible for the vaccine that will help prevent the spread of the disease and a new round of stimulus payments are sent out to combat the economic fallout of the pandemic, scammers…

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by Zak Failla
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
News
State Police Issue Alert For Pet Scam State Police Issue Alert For Pet Scam
State Police Issue Alert For Pet Scam New York State Police have received multiple calls from people scammed out of hundreds of dollars after answering classified ads for purebred puppies for sale. Victims report after answering the ad, the suspects provide a photo of the breed they are looking for and arrange a deposit to be paid, said Trooper James O’Callaghan. Once the deposit is cleared, the victim is provided an address, which does not exist, to pick up their puppy.  Recently, these fake addresses have been in the St. Lawrence County area. State Police warn the public of some common themes in this scam: The…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Here Are Four Ways To Avoid Stimulus Check Scams Here Are Four Ways To Avoid Stimulus Check Scams
Here Are Four Ways To Avoid Stimulus Check Scams Consumer protection and law enforcement agencies are warning people to be wary of scams associated with stimulus checks. To avoid scammers, the Department of Consumer Protection is circulating tips on how to identify, stop, and/or report fraudsters going after stimulus checks. The second round of stimulus checks to help Americans deal with an economy hampered by COVID-19 began arriving in people’s mailboxes and direct-deposit accounts in late December. Single people will get $600, a married couple will get $1,200, and there will be an additional $600 per child to families. Everyone who qual…

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by Kristin Palpini
News
COVID-19: Beware Of These Vaccine Scams, FBI, DOJ Warn COVID-19: Beware Of These Vaccine Scams, FBI, DOJ Warn
Covid-19: Beware Of These Vaccine Scams, FBI, DOJ Warn Scammers are using the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines in the United States to trick people into paying for doses or early access that never comes, federal authorities are warning. As COVID-19 vaccines become more available, there has been a spike in scams seeking to exploit people’s desire to protect themselves and their loved ones from the virus, according to the U.S. Department of Justice as well as local police departments and other law enforcement agencies. “Members of the public should be suspicious of unexpected or unsolicited contact from anyone unknown to them claiming to have inform…

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by Kristin Palpini
News
COVID-19: Alert Issued For Fake Mask Exempt Cards Being Sold Online COVID-19: Alert Issued For Fake Mask Exempt Cards Being Sold Online
Covid-19: Alert Issued For Fake Mask Exempt Cards Being Sold Online While mask-wearing amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has become politicized, federal officials are cautioning of a new scam for fraudulent face mask exempt flyers that have been circulating online. The Department of Justice has issued a warning of a card that has been circulating online which falsely claims its holder is exempt from wearing a mask - contrary to local, state, and federal mandates. The cards are purportedly from the “Freedom to Breathe Agency” - which is not an official federal or state agency - and states that wearing a mask will incur mental or physical risk fo…

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by Zak Failla
News
Here's How You Can Avoid Being Reeled In By Mail Fishing Here's How You Can Avoid Being Reeled In By Mail Fishing
Here's How You Can Avoid Being Reeled In By Mail Fishing Though it’s not officially fishing season, police are cautioning area residents to be wary of scammers going “fishing” in United States Postal Service mailboxes. Law enforcement agencies in the tri-state area issued alerts warning of scammers who have been making the rounds “fishing” in USPS mailboxes in an attempt to steal checks and personal information. Police said that “mail fishing” is a crime that involves thieves using a weighted object that is attached to a string or wire and covered in a sticky substance to retrieve mail from out of postal boxes. According to police, “‘mail fisher…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Here Are Do's, Don'ts To Avoid Virus-Related Scams, Westchester DA Says COVID-19: Here Are Do's, Don'ts To Avoid Virus-Related Scams, Westchester DA Says
Covid-19: Here Are Do's, Don'ts To Avoid Virus-Related Scams, Westchester DA Says Officials in Westchester are warning residents to protect themselves and be wary of schemers looking to take advantage of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Westchester County District Attorney Anthony Scarpino, Jr., issued a warning for area residents this week following an uptick in scams related to the COVID-19 outbreak over the past few months. “As this crisis continues, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies are seeing more scams related to federal coronavirus stimulus payments as well as bogus COVID-19-related products and treatments for sale, charities, and frau…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Beware Of Scammers Posing As Contact Tracers, FTC Says COVID-19: Beware Of Scammers Posing As Contact Tracers, FTC Says
Covid-19: Beware Of Scammers Posing As Contact Tracers, FTC Says Some opportunistic fraudsters are taking advantage of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis by posing as contact tracers hired by the state to obtain personal information and money. Since the outbreak began, state officials have stressed the importance of ramping up COVID-19 testing, then tracing the people they’ve come into contact with, and isolating those people. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “contact tracing, a core disease control measure employed by local and state health department personnel for decades, is a key strategy for preventing further spread…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Alert Issued For Testing, Supply, Other New Scams COVID-19: Alert Issued For Testing, Supply, Other New Scams
Covid-19: Alert Issued For Testing, Supply, Other New Scams The United States Postal Inspection Service is warning consumers to be wary of opportunistic fraudsters looking to take advantage of fear-mongering during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. An alert was issued by the USPIS due to scammers who have “identified the public’s concern as a target for scams and fraud.” Current scams that have been reported include testing scams, supply scams, provider scams, app scams and investment scams, each of which is designed to convince targets to hand over money during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to USPIS, to protect oneself from COVID-19 sca…

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by Zak Failla