The San Leandro Police Department has arrested a suspect in connection with a grand theft case involving a computer scam that defrauded a victim of $44,000.
The incident began when the victim encountered a seemingly innocent pop-up window on their personal computer, prompting them to pay for anti-virus software. However, this pop-up was part of a sophisticated scam.
Police detectives from the Property Crimes and Crime Suppression Unit launched an investigation after the victim realized they had been scammed and reported the crime. According to the police, “Through a series of fraudulent transactions prompted by the suspects via remote access to the victim’s computer and over the phone, the victim was defrauded of $44,000.”
Following the investigation, detectives tracked leads that eventually led to the identification of one of the suspects involved in the scam. On Wednesday, the suspect was apprehended in Castro Valley. A subsequent search warrant executed at the suspect’s residence in San Lorenzo uncovered evidence related to the scam, as well as an unregistered firearm.
The San Leandro Police Department urges the community to remain vigilant against suspicious phone calls, text messages, emails, and other forms of electronic communication. Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their methods, often pretending to represent well-known organizations or companies and demanding specific forms of payment.
Police advise residents to independently verify the authenticity of any suspicious communication and avoid using phone numbers or web links provided in the message itself. If you receive a notification requiring immediate action or payment, it’s essential to proceed with caution and confirm the legitimacy of the request through trusted sources.