MARION, Ill. (WSIL) -- Two people were arrested and face charges in Marion in relation to a scam where a victim lost a large amount of money, police said.
The Marion Police Department said on October 18, they were informed about someone losing more than $100,000 in regards to an email phishing scheme.
Police detailed how the victim lost the money. They said the victim received an email which appeared to be a receipt from PayPal for a purchase of McAfee+ antivirus service.
Marion police said the victim called a number attached to the email to provide personal information and to verify they were not the person who purchased the product.
Shortly after, police said the victim then received a call from someone claiming to be from the Federal Trade Commission who stated the victim was under investigation.
Police detailed more about the call, stating the victim was told they would lose all their money if they did not provide cash to the Federal Trade Commission for safe keeping in a Federal lock box. Police then stated the victim was directed on how to make withdrawals from their bank accounts and package the cash for pickup. The suspects then were reported to have retrieved the case from the person's home on multiple occasions.
Police in Marion then worked to catch the suspects. On October 24, an operation with the Marion Police Department was conducted to have the suspects come back to the home to pick up another package.
Police said they arrested two suspects who are from China and they were charged with Theft by Deception and Wire Fraud.
The Marion Police Department added the following in relation to this scam alert they investigated...
It is important to know that you will not receive a telephone call or email asking you to liquidate your bank accounts to cash as part of an investigation by any actual law enforcement agency. You will also not receive threats of arrest if payments are not made.
If you receive an email from an unknown sender, please do not respond or call the numbers listed. If you have an account with the company, call the number listed on your credit cards or on the company’s actual website. Call your local Police Department with any questions and please do not give out any personal information or bank account information.
If you or anyone you know are victims of this type of crime, please notify the Marion Police Department or your local Police Department.
Police said this case is still under investigation by the Marion Police Department, US Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and the US Attorneys Office.
