FRAMINGHAM — A local resident lost $24,000 after falling victim to a scam targeting multiple communities, authorities said.
Someone is using fake phone numbers of local police departments, giving the names of real officers, calling people and demanding money.
Police in Framingham, Blackstone and Bellingham have each reported repeat incidents. The scammers, believed to be part of the same group, also used a fake Framingham District Court phone number.
“They’re spoofing our business number and calling people,” said Framingham police spokeswoman Rachel Mickens. “They specifically say they’re Deputy Chief Ron Ceasar, which is not true. He’s an officer, not a deputy. They’ve used various names in the past.”
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The scam works by sending the victim an electronic message in which the caller pretends to be a police officer and then tells the victim that they “have an urgent legal message and should call back immediately,” Mickens said.
The problem is that the phone number they provide for a call back is not connected to the police.
“Most people called, told us and then double-checked to make sure it was real,” Mickens said. “(But) one resident responded to that number and lost $24,000.”
Victim was instructed to send money via Bitcoin ATMs in Natick
The victim was instructed to go to a bank and withdraw money, then instructed to go to Roche Bros. in Natick and deposit the money at a Bitcoin ATM and provide the caller (scammer) with the associated code.
The victim is then left with no money because the money they get back is unlikely to be recovered because once it is converted into bitcoins and the code is passed on to someone else, it is almost impossible to get it back, Mickens said.
Framingham is not the only community affected by the fraud.
Blackstone residents are receiving calls from police department management in which the caller claims to be Police Chief Gregory Gilmore. They then attempt to get the person they are calling to provide personal information such as a social security number or date of birth.
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“Please do not respond to these calls,” Blackstone police said in a news release. “If you are unsure, please call our department at 508-883-1212 and speak with an officer.”
Bellingham police reported similar incidents.
“We have just received information that this scam is also being perpetrated in Bellingham,” Bellingham police wrote in a Facebook post. “Please do not provide any information to anyone claiming to be from the Bellingham Police Department without verifying that they are truly a Bellingham police officer.”
Framingham District Court was also the target of fraud
Framingham District Court was also implicated in the scam. Clerk of Court Robert Jubinville could not be reached for comment, but according to a message on the court’s phone system, court officials say they are aware of someone using the court’s number and requesting personal information. They said no one from the court would request that information over the phone and recommend that people call their local police department.
Mickens said the incidents are full of warning signs and people should pay attention. She said the call is digitized and when the victim calls back, the scammer orders them not to tell anyone they are speaking to police or that they are on the phone. They also instruct victims not to transfer the money all at once, but in smaller amounts in several steps.
“The police are not going to call you and ask you to withdraw money from your bank account and give it to them,” Mickens said. “We are not going to ask you to exchange it for bitcoin. None of this makes sense, it’s all suspicious. Hang up and call the police.”
Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or [email protected]. For public safety updates, follow him on X @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.
