Las Vegas police have arrested 12 people in connection with a crime wave swindling dozens of victims out of their life savings — not at the casino but on their computers.
As Las Vegas CBS affiliate 8 News Now reports, 24 victims who lost a total $3 million have come forward to date, launching the investigations that led to the arrests.
Capt. Noel Roberts of the LVMPD’s Theft Crime Bureau believes more victims may be involved.
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“Don’t be embarrassed,” he said. “Come forward right away. Let us know, and that way, the sooner our detectives can start this investigation, we have a better chance of solving the case, arresting the suspects, and ultimately getting the money back.”
In every one of these cases, victims have received an electronic alert, like a pop-up on their laptop, a spoofed email or text message designed to mimic banks or tech giants.
Capt. Roberts says the scam plays on people’s fears. Victims are led to believe that their financial accounts or their computers have been compromised. That’s when the problems begin.
Scam involves handing cash to couriers for ‘safekeeping’
The fraudsters convince victims to hand over large sums of cash to fake “security couriers” for safekeeping while they resolve the problem — whether the victim is convinced their financial accounts or computers have been hacked.
One shocking case took place last August, after a Las Vegas woman’s computer flashed a warning that her personal information was compromised. Thinking she was calling a tech support line, she was instructed to make two $35,000 cash drops to strangers at separate locations.
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After she reported the loss of $70,000 to police, investigators traced surveillance footage to a vehicle with California plates. The vehicle was linked to Guo Zhongquin, 43, and Lin Lin, 45.
Zhongquin and Lin were charged and accepted plea deals for possession of stolen property.
“I just want to apologize to all the victims,” Zhongqui said via translator during sentencing. Lin echoed the apology.
Judge Tara Clark Newberry sentenced both men to 19 to 48 months in prison and ordered restitution. Prosecutors agreed not to argue for more time as part of the plea bargain.
What to do if you’ve been scammed
If you’re a victim of fraud, it’s critical to take steps right away to get back on the path of recovery. The FBI recommends the following steps:
File a report. Report the scam to local law enforcement, the Federal Trade Commission and the FBI. This could help get some of the funds back, but it also helps to prevent future scams.
Freeze your credit. Get in touch with the major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to freeze your credit so identity thieves can’t open accounts under your name.
Update passwords and monitor accounts. Change your passwords for all accounts and enable two-factor authentication where possible. Monitor your accounts for unauthorized activity.
Watch out for "get-rich-quick" schemes. After losing money in a scam, you might be tempted to try to make it back quickly. But high-risk investments can lead to more financial strain. Pause before rushing into any major financial decisions.
Put together a recovery budget. Start by setting aside a small amount each month, like $50, into a high-yield savings account. This is also a good way to build up an emergency fund in the event you are compromised in the future..
Get some professional advice. Consult with a financial advisor who can guide you in rebuilding your credit and savings.
It can be a long road to recovery after being scammed, but with the right steps and some professional guidance, you can regain control of your financial future.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
