The following is a neighborhood alert from the Cambridge Police Department:
The Cambridge Police Department Electronic Crime Unit has recently seen an increase in the number of fraud incidents involving popular social networking Web sites (Facebook, MySpace) and e-mail accounts concerning a “friend” stating that they had been robbed in London. A suspect will gain control of a person’s account and instant message or e-mail that person’s contact list. This person will inform the victim that they had been robbed and are stranded overseas. The person then requests that money is wired to them via Western Union or MoneyGram. The Electronic Crime Unit is actively investigating reported incidents. Before sending money via wire, make sure you verify the identity of a friend who makes this request. Protect your own online account by routinely changing your passwords and using numbers, letters and symbols in your passwords.
Questions can be directed to the Cambridge Police Electronic Crime Unit at 617-349-9307
