Fake police
A U. of I. student received a text message from a person purporting to be Chinese police who said that the student’s passport was implicated in illegal activity. The scammer told the student she needed to pay the police to avoid prosecution, and the student transferred $315,903 to an unknown account via a mobile banking app.
Prevention work under way to address bike, scooter thefts
CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, Illinois — The popularity of electric scooters and bikes has accelerated in the last few months, and University of Illinois Police have seen a corresponding increase in the number of those devices being reported stolen. Meanwhile, conventional bicycles continue to be a target for thieves, especially when they are locked only with a cable lock. University Police are taking steps to address the increase in thefts — they have already made four arrests and have identified at least two more people of interest in a series of incidents. That investigative work, in concert with the redeployment of anti-theft bikes, [...]
Fake tutor
Seeking help for an upcoming exam, the student requested tutoring services through a website. An unknown person responded to her request and asked for personal information, including passwords to her university accounts and remote access to her computer. On the day of the computer-based exam, the scammer took control of the student’s computer and threatened to expose her for cheating if she did not send money. The student reported that she paid $6,189 and asked a friend to send additional money, making the total around $12,000.
Sexual extortion
A U. of I. student was contacted through social media by an unknown person who requested that the student send intimate photos of himself. When the student did so, the unknown person threatened to distribute the photos unless the student paid $900. The student refused payment, and the photos were sent to several of the student’s social media contacts.
Traffic patterns to change for Homecoming celebration
CHAMPAIGN, Illinois – Community members may notice some additional road closures around Memorial Stadium on Friday as the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign prepares to celebrate Homecoming. Kirby Avenue between First Street and Fourth Street will be closed beginning at noon Friday and remain closed until after the football game on Saturday.First Street between Stadium Drive and Kirby Avenue will be closed beginning at noon Friday and remain closed until after the football game on Saturday.Fourth Street between Kirby Avenue and Gregory Drive will be closed beginning at 5 p.m. Friday and will reopen immediately following the Homecoming parade.Gregory Drive between [...]