Fake tech support
A U. of I. student reported purchasing a monthly subscription she no longer wanted. The student searched the Apple customer support phone number online and clicked on the first one that appeared. The offender informed the student that she would have to send money in gift cards to receive a refund for the monthly subscription. The student initially purchased a $300 and a $200 Target gift card and provided the offender with the card information. She was then instructed to buy two more $300 gift cards, and she complied. When the offender asked the student to purchase $700 in gift [...]
Sexual extortion
A man contacted U. of I. police to report that he was the victim of extortion. The man was contacted via Facebook Messenger by a female whose picture he had commented on previously. After exchanging explicit photos and videos, the offender told him she would share the images with his family and friends unless he sent her a $100 pre-paid Visa card. After sending the Visa card, the offender told the man the card was not valid and requested $200 in pre-paid Apple gift cards. The man complied but continued to receive threatening messages from the offender. The man contacted [...]
Fake homework assistance
A U. of I. student contacted an individual on WhatsApp for assistance with locating sources for an assignment. Both parties agreed that each source would cost $30, and the student transferred $180 to the offender via the online banking platform Remitly for six sources. After transferring the funds, the student never received the sources and questioned the offender, who began requesting more money and threatening the student. The student contacted police and ceased communication with the scammer.
Public comment encouraged during ILEAP accreditation
URBANA, Illinois – The University of Illinois Police Department is encouraging members of the general public to call in and leave comments while law enforcement assessors examine the department’s policies, procedures, operations, and management. The assessors will be Jeff Hamer, Chief of Police at the Macomb Police Department, and Steve Roberts, retired Deputy Chief at the Lansing Police Department. The evaluation is a routine part of the Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (ILEAP) accreditation process. The evaluators last reviewed the University of Illinois Police Department in 2020 and gave the department ILEAP’s highest (Tier 2) accreditation level based on its [...]
Fake art project
A U. of I. student reported being the victim of an internet-based scam. The student was contacted via direct message on Instagram by an unknown account. The unknown user asked the student if they could use photos from his profile for an art project and told him he would be compensated. The student agreed and was emailed three checks totaling $2,100. After depositing the checks, the student was asked for proof of the deposits, which he provided. The offender then asked the student to send them money for art supplies. The student became suspicious of the unknown individual, reported his [...]