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AI-Enhanced 'Virtual Kidnapping' Scam Targets Peekskill Families: Superintendent AI-Enhanced 'Virtual Kidnapping' Scam Targets Peekskill Families: Superintendent
Ai-enhanced 'Virtual Kidnapping' Scam Targets Peekskill Families: Superintendent A Northern Westchester school district is alerting families after two local households received virtual extortion calls involving scammers who claimed to have kidnapped loved ones.  In a letter to families on Wednesday, Jan. 8, Peekskill City School District Superintendent David Mauricio said two households received "Virtual Kidnapping Extortion Calls," a sophisticated scam where perpetrators falsely claim to have kidnapped a loved one and demand ransom payments.  Using artificial intelligence (AI), these scammers are now replicating family members' voices to make the threats…

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by Ben Crnic
Politics
Joseph Nocella Named United States Attorney For Eastern District Of New York Joseph Nocella Named United States Attorney For Eastern District Of New York
Joseph Nocella Named United States Attorney For Eastern District Of New York Joseph Nocella, Jr., a veteran prosecutor and judge with an extensive legal background, has been named the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, according to a statement from former President Donald J. Trump. “Judge Nocella has a strong record of bringing Law and Order to the incredible people of New York,” Trump said in the announcement. “Congratulations, Judge Nocella!” Nocella served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District from 1991 to 1995, prosecuting cases involving racketeering, extortion, and fraud. His work earned recognition from the FBI direc…

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by Jillian Pikora
Police & Fire
Hudson Valley Man Charged With Extortion After Digital Scheme Nets $22,000 Hudson Valley Man Charged With Extortion After Digital Scheme Nets $22,000
Hudson Valley Man Charged With Extortion After Digital Scheme Nets $22,000 A Hudson Valley man faces multiple felony charges after allegedly extorting $22,000 by masquerading as a teenager online and then threatening a local victim with accusations of possessing child pornography. Ian D. Buckley Jr., age 25, of Poughkeepsie, was charged on Wednesday, Dec. 4, following an investigation by New York State Police. Trooper AJ Hicks said the investigation determined that  Buckley, using an alias, engaged in a digital conversation with the victim in which the two exchanged explicit images before meeting in person.  Buckley then informed the victim he was the f…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Sibling Sextortion: NY Child Abuser Had Help From Sister In Cyberstalking Scheme, Feds Say Sibling Sextortion: NY Child Abuser Had Help From Sister In Cyberstalking Scheme, Feds Say
Sibling Sextortion: NY Child Abuser Had Help From Sister In Cyberstalking Scheme, Feds Say A New York brother currently serving time in federal prison and sister are facing federal charges for an elaborate cyberstalking and extortion scheme involving explicit images and a fraudulent life insurance plot, federal authorities announced. Fred Mastroianni, of White Plains, and Doreen Mastroianni, of Yorktown Heights, have been charged with cyberstalking, extortion, and conspiracy to commit extortion, according to an indictment unsealed by federal officials. The pair allegedly targeted "Victim-1" by threatening to release sexually explicit photos and videos unless the victim complied w…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Sex Extortion Scam Circulating Through Emails In Region, Sheriff Says Sex Extortion Scam Circulating Through Emails In Region, Sheriff Says
Sex Extortion Scam Circulating Through Emails In Region, Sheriff Says Police in the region are warning of an automated sex extortion scam that is targeting residents through emails. Undersheriff Eric Chaboy of the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office said that scammers are acquiring emails and personal information on the so-called “Dark Web” and feeding it into what appears to be an artificial intelligence (AI) program that automatically contacts potential victims. Earlier report - Warning Issued For Nationwide Automated 'Sextortion' Scam: Here's What To Know According to Chaboty, the program claims in an email that the victim has been looking at pornogra…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Duo Extorts Thousands From Hudson Valley Business Owner Using Threats Of Libel, DA Says Duo Extorts Thousands From Hudson Valley Business Owner Using Threats Of Libel, DA Says
Duo Extorts Thousands From Hudson Valley Business Owner Using Threats Of Libel, DA Says Two Hudson Valley residents are accused of extorting a business owner out of thousands of dollars. Orange County residents Ally Thueson, age 32, and Elizabeth Sloanhoffer, age 33, both of Montgomery, were arrested by the county’s White Collar Crime Task Force on Tuesday, June 4, on suspicion of grand larceny and coercion. According to prosecutors, Thueson and Sloanhoffer threatened to post false statements about Thueson’s employer online unless they were paid $9,000. The employer reportedly paid the money to avoid harm to their business. Both defendants were arraigned in the Village o…

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by Michael Mashburn