Latest news with #FBIPhiladelphia
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Yahoo
FBI warning parents of violent 'online networks' targeting minors for exploitation
The Brief The FBI Philadelphia is warning parents about an increase in violent online networks which try to connect with minors. The criminals use the relationship to get their victims to participate in disturbing behavior. PHILADELPHIA - The FBI Philadelphia is warning parents about an increase of violent "online networks," which involves criminals often targeting minors through social media and other applications, to eventually exploit them. What we know Groups like "764," according to investigators, try to connect with their victim through a chat component online, and often start by "love-bombing" their victim and building trust. Eventually, criminals use that relationship to get their victims to participate in disturbing behavior, including animal cruelty and harming themselves and/or others on video, according to the FBI. Investigators say victims are typically between 10 and 17-years-old, but they have seen victims as young as nine-years-old. They believe the criminals' goal is simply to cause fear and chaos. What they're saying "Over the last few years, I've seen it increase. I've seen it, unfortunately, get more mature, and the one common denominator is the parents aren't aware of what's going on in their own home," says Special Agent Torres with FBI Philadelphia. "This is not happening at school, this is not happening at day care. This is not happening in the street, this is happening at home, in the bedroom, in the living room, when kids are watching TV." Special Agent Torres says there have been victims impacted in every major city in Pennsylvania, and almost every FBI Field Office across the country is seeing the crimes. He says they are increasing awareness with local schools and law enforcement, so officers are aware of the increase in these crimes when responding to mental health calls. What you can do If you or someone you know believes they are the victim of a crime using these tactics, the FBI asks that you retain all information regarding the incident (e.g., usernames, email addresses, websites or names of platforms used for communication, photos, videos, etc.) and immediately report it to: FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at FBI Field Office ( or 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324)) National Center for Missing and Exploited Children ( or 1-800-THE LOST) Local law enforcement and/or school resource officers More information can be found on the FBI website, here.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Yahoo
FBI warns of romance scams ahead of Valentine's Day
(WTAJ) — As Valentine's Day quickly approaches, FBI Philadelphia is reminding everyone to remain vigilant as criminals operate romance and confidence schemes. In a romance or confidence scam, the victim is led to believe they are in a trusting relationship, whether family, friendly or romantic, and is often tricked into sending money or personal information to someone who is a scammer. The scams begin when a criminal adopts a fake online identity as a way to gain the victim's trust and affection. After building a relationship with the victim, the scammer will use the illusion or a romantic or close relationship to manipulate and steal from the victim. These criminals often come across as genuine, caring and believable and are noted to go through an intended victim's social media as a way to develop a connection quickly. 'Romance scammers are working to be your 'perfect match'; what might begin as a seemingly innocent connection can quickly turn sinister as criminals cash in on those looking for companionship,' Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia, said. 'As always, we encourage the public to be mindful when forging a relationship online, exercise caution navigating the cyber landscape, and report suspected scams to the FBI.' The FBI noted that cryptocurrency investment scams are on the rise, with the scammer asking the victim to make investments through scam sites and then cutting off contact with the victim, vanishing with the invested sums. If you develop a romantic relationship with someone online the FBI recommends: Think twice before you share personal information online. Scammers can use details shared on dating sites and social media platforms to better target victims If you try online dating, only use dating sites with well-known reputations. Search people's photos and profiles online to see if anyone has used the names, images, or information elsewhere Take the relationship slow and ask lots of questions Beware if the person quickly asks you to leave a dating app or social media platform to go 'offline' — or tries to isolate you from friends and family Never send money, cryptocurrency, or gift cards to anyone you've only communicated with online or by phone Be particularly cautious if the person you're communicating with is overseas – often times scammers use overseas construction or military jobs as an excuse to not be able to meet in person Scammers can fabricate things like medical emergencies that they need money to pay for, or if wanting to meet in person, request the victim pay for their airfare and travel upfront If you or someone you know has fallen victim to a romance scam, file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Yahoo
FBI Philadelphia warns of university fraud scheme targeting international students
The Brief FBI Philadelphia has issued a warning about a "University Scheme" targeting international students for money. Federal officials say they have seen several dozen cases involving students in Philadelphia since 2022. FBI officials detail the four phases of the scheme to look out for. PHILADELPHIA - With spring semesters underway, FBI Philadelphia warns of "University Scheme" targeting international students for money. The FBI is partnering with Philadelphia universities and law enforcement as students settle in for the spring semester to warn about a fraud scheme that continues to prey on international students. What we know Federal officials tell FOX 29 they have seen several dozen cases involving students in Philadelphia since 2022. It involves criminal actors impersonating Chinese police officers to defraud students, particularly Chinese students, by telling them they are under investigation for an alleged financial crime in China and need to pay to avoid arrest. "We have seen an increasing number of students report that they are victims of these scams, and as many as we've seen report, we know there are many more victims out there," said Wayne Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia. The scheme typically consists of four phases, according to the FBI: Criminal actors place a call to victims, appearing to be a phone number associated with a mobile telephone service provider, a large retailer, a delivery service, or the Chinese Embassy/Consulate. The criminal actors inform victims their personal identifiable information is linked to either a subject or a victim of a financial fraud investigation. Criminal actors then allegedly transfer the call to a Chinese provincial police department that is allegedly investigating the victims. A criminal actor posing as a Chinese police officer informs victims of the details of the alleged crime and may pressure victims to return to China to face trial or threaten them with arrest. Criminal actors direct victims to consent to 24/7 video and audio monitoring due to the alleged sensitivity of the investigation and/or to demonstrate the victims' innocence. Victims are instructed not to discuss the details of the case, not to conduct internet searches, and to report all their daily activities. Criminal actors instruct victims to wire a large sum of money to a Chinese bank account to prove their innocence or to post bail to avoid returning to China. "These are kids who are here alone separated from family," said SAC Jacobs. "The range of loss amounts here are quite significant, hundreds of thousands of dollars being supplied." In any instance where you answer the phone and think you might be dealing with a scammer, the FBI says to try to slow things down and ask questions, and remember that you should never have to provide personal or banking information over the phone. If reporting the crime immediately, SAC Jacobs says they are often successful in getting money back for victims, but fraudsters are getting more creative. "Unfortunately, the fraudsters are getting hip to the crypto game, and that presents a unique challenge in that the funds there move a lot quicker," he said. "While we are able to trace funds through crypto analysis, it does present a bit of a unique challenge in trying to slow things down and ultimately recover the funds." The FBI says A.I. continues to give fraudsters more capability to sound and look legitimate. "It's becoming increasingly difficult to separate legitimate calls from fraudulent calls because we are seeing phone numbers get spoofed, voices being duplicated, all in the name of building additional credibility," says SAC Jacobs. "It's only a matter of time before we identify these individuals, bring them to account." What you can do If you or someone you know is a victim of this crime, you can report it to local law enforcement, the FBI Philadelphia Office at 215-418-4000, or by submitting an online report at The Source The information in this story is from FBI Philadelphia officials.
