Facebook Scam Alert: Braintree Resident Swindled Out Of $3K
BRAINTREE (CBS) -- Braintree police are warning of a new online scam that has one resident out thousands of dollars.
Police said the victim was contacted on Facebook by a friend whose account was likely hacked. The friend said the victim had won $200,000, but needed to send money to an attorney to access the prize.
The victim talked to the "attorney" on Facebook and sent four payments totaling over $3,000 through "MoneyGram" before figuring out they were scammed, police said.
"If any of your Facebook friends message you saying you've won money, most likely they've been hacked and it's a scam," police said. "I ask that you please remember not to send these people money, no matter how legitimate it appears."
The scammers use fake names, addresses and accounts, making them almost impossible to catch, police said.
Police are asking residents to let their elderly parents and grandparents know about Facebook scams, because they may not be aware of them.
