On Monday, a 45-year-old Lincoln man reported to police that he had fallen victim to an online trading scam, losing more than $40,000.
The man recounted that in mid-May, he began an online conversation with an unknown woman who eventually persuaded him to invest in what he believed was an online trading platform. Over the next several weeks, he invested a total of $40,500.
Initially, his investment seemed successful, more than doubling in value, according to police. However, when he tried to withdraw his money, he discovered that the website was fraudulent, and his money was gone.
Erika Thomas of the Lincoln Police Department advises against engaging in online conversations with strangers and handing over any money.
“It’s always possible it could turn into a situation like this. Scammers build trust, which is exactly what they hope for,” said Thomas.