MONROE COUNTY, Fla. – The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents of a recent text scam targeting Apple users.
In the scam, thieves pose as Apple representatives and claim that the victim’s online Apple Store account has been compromised. The scammers then demand payment to resolve the issue, often requesting gift cards or Bitcoin.
One victim of the scam lost $38,000 after falling for the ruse. The scammer used a convoluted email address, jichunwei-nalunzhi_1991@gmx.com.
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The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is urging residents to be wary of any text messages or emails claiming to be from a technology company, law enforcement agency, government organization, utility company, bank, credit card company, or even a family member. If you receive such a message, hang up and contact the organization or person yourself.
Scammers often use complex and puzzling email addresses to try to trick their victims. They may also ask for payment via gift cards or Bitcoin, which are difficult to trace.
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If you believe you have been the victim of a text scam, you should report it to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office at 305-292-7000. You can also report tips online at https://www.keysso.net/locations.
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