Scam Type
Phishing Scam
Business Name Used
Apple Inc and Federal Trade Commission Imposters
Date Reported
August 13, 2024
Postal Code
55406
Total Dollars Lost
$ 3900
Scam Description
When I opened the Safari browser, I received a fraud security alert. The computer froze and was unable to click on anything. The alert informed me to call the number 1-833-203-4855 to speak with someone from Apple, Inc. Once I called the number I spoke with a Walter Grob (phone # 202-241-2612). He ran a diagnostic report and the report on screen showed fraudulent illegal activity using my IP address. He then transferred me to FTC where I spoke with a Jennifer Walker. I asked her for some specific identification to confirm her employment with the FTC. She emailed me photo of her credentials. She said that there was an ongoing investigation, and she asked me to help by taking cash from my Money Market account or checking account. The money had to be taken from a specific branch location, which was not my usual bank branch I go too, as this is where the suspected leak was coming from, and they wanted to track the money via Bitcoin. I was told that the FTC was going to track the Bitcoin, and the money would be returned to me within 24-48 hours with interest. Once I had the cash it had to be converted to Bitcoin and sent from a specific bitcoin kiosk, which they gave me locations for. Never using Bitcoin before an account needed to be set up and a QR code had to be generated, which Jennifer’s co-worker assisted in setting up. Ended up setting up two different accounts with two specific kiosk as there was issues with the first one. One was with Athena Bitcoin and one with Rockitcoin. Total amount transferred was $3900.
