A woman from Howell Township, New Jersey, lost $35,000 after falling victim to a sophisticated scam in which fraudsters posed as Amazon customer service agents. The scammers used high-pressure tactics and convinced the woman that both her Amazon and bank accounts had been hacked.
It All Started With a Simple Google Search
The victim had searched online for Amazon’s customer support number to fix what she thought was a wrong delivery. However, she unknowingly contacted a fraudulent website posing as Amazon. Once connected, the scammer claiming to be an Amazon employee informed her that her financial accounts were compromised.
She was told that in order to protect her identity and secure the accounts, she needed to withdraw $35,000 in cash and hand it over to a company representative who would arrive at her home. The terrified victim followed instructions and gave the cash to a man who showed up shortly after.
Suspects Demanded More — Police Set a Trap
Days after losing the $35,000, the woman received another call from the scammers demanding an additional $80,000. Realizing she had been scammed, she reported the incident to Howell Township Police.
Detectives, led by Detective Richard Robertiello, set up an undercover sting operation. On May 22, they arranged for a decoy package, pretending it contained the $80,000, to be picked up from the victim’s home.
When a suspect arrived to collect the package, police arrested him on the spot. The individual was identified as a 21-year-old foreign exchange student from India residing in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He has been charged with receiving stolen property and is currently held at Monmouth County Jail.
Search for Main Suspect Still Ongoing
Police are still searching for the original scammer who picked up the initial $35,000. He has been described as a younger South Asian male, last seen driving an older silver Toyota Corolla with Pennsylvania license plates.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Robertiello at 732-938-4575, Ext. 2652.
Scammers Exploit Fear and Trust
This incident highlights how scammers manipulate victims by using fear and impersonating trusted brands like Amazon. The Howell Police Department has warned residents to never trust unsolicited calls requesting large sums of money or personal financial information.
They emphasized that no legitimate company will ever ask someone to withdraw cash or hand it over to a stranger to resolve an issue.
Tips to Avoid Similar Scams
To protect yourself from impersonation scams:
- Always verify phone numbers using the company’s official website
- Never trust search engine ads or sponsored numbers for customer service
- Do not send cash, gift cards, or cryptocurrency to someone claiming to fix your account
- Hang up and contact the company directly if you receive a suspicious call
- Call a family member or the police if unsure
Residents can visit the Federal Trade Commission’s official site to report fraud or get more information on protecting themselves. The U.S. Department of Justice also provides resources for scam prevention and legal action against consumer fraud.
Howell Police Urge Vigilance
The Howell Township Police Department continues to educate residents about the dangers of these types of scams. They encourage anyone who has been targeted or victimized to report the incident immediately.
