Scammers use Facebook to trick people into thinking they accidentally donated money to ISIS
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Scammers are using Facebook Messenger and other apps to trick Americans into thinking they gave money to terrorist groups like ISIS and Al Qaeda.
According to a new warning from the Department of Homeland Security's Office of the Inspector General, the scammers make contact through a messaging app or even Words with Friends and sometimes fake a romantic interest. Eventually, the scammer makes up a story about financial hardship and asks for money.
The day after the victim sends the money, they receive a phone call from the fraudster who poses as a law enforcement official — often spoofing the caller ID of a legitimate agency such as DHS.
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The caller tells the victim that they gave money to a criminal enterprise or terrorist group the day before, such as the Islamic State or Al Qaeda, and threatens them with imprisonment.
The scammer then tells the victim to contact a lawyer who can help them resolve the matter.
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Of course, that "lawyer" then instructs the victim to pay them $1,000 or more as a retainer, the DHS warning says.
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The federal warning reminds Americans that public law enforcement numbers can be subject to spoofing.
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"Legitimate law enforcement callers will never ask you to pay fines over the phone or request money from you," the warning states.