Scammers will stop at nothing to steal money from unsuspecting victims, especially the elderly.
A 75-year-year old woman from Ohio is out $120,000 after she sent the money claiming to be former Journey singer Steve Perry.
According to AV Club, the woman was contacted by the scammer in January, claiming that he was Perry and had "a business opportunity for investment and of course 'needed a woman in his life.'"
The communication eventually moved over to the messaging service WhatsApp, and in all the woman sent the fake Steve Perry $72,000 via wire transfers to "various persons in various different states, designated by 'Perry,' through her bank," along with approximately $50,000 in gift cards.
The woman only got wise to the scam after 'Perry' "became more demanding" and asked for such things as pictures of passports and driver's licenses.
The Westlake, Ohio police department advised the woman to alert her bank to the scam, as well as IC3.gov,the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Investigators are currently following up with available electronic leads.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow 98.7 The Spot
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
