Dark Web Scammer Pressures Victim Into Buying Hundreds in Gift Cards

According to crime reports from the Charleston Police Department, a victim on Daniel Island was tricked into thinking that their private information was discovered on the dark web. To steal more than $1,500, the con artist took advantage of the victim’s fear.

The ‘Dark Web’ Deception

A Daniel Island resident fell victim to a cruel gift card scam. According to reports, it started with a frightening phone call. The caller pretended to be from a wallet app’s security team. They told the victim their personal information was “all over the dark web.” The fraudster also alleged that there were complaints of pornography found on the victim’s telephone.

This caused a feeling of panic and urgency. The fake security agent then gave the victim instructions. They were told to go out and buy several gift cards. The caller said this would help “secure” their accounts. All through the day on September 22, the victim purchased cards at different locations.

They bought two $500 cards from big-box stores in Mount Pleasant. They also got a $390 card and a final $200 card from a grocery store on Hopewell Drive. Each time, the victim provided the activation codes to the scammer. Due to the criminal’s immediate access to the money, a total of $1,590 was lost.

A grocery store employee at Hopewell Drive became worried about the customer’s situation and called the police. The officer who responded confirmed it was a scam. According to Charleston police, the phone number used by the suspect was untraceable. The victim was advised to save all receipts and the original gift cards. This evidence will aid the ongoing investigation.

The shady gift card transaction was among the incidents that were reported between September 16 and 30. Police Team 5, which is responsible for Daniel Island and Cainhoy, had to address other crimes.

A Common Scam with a New Twist

The gift card scam that targeted the Daniel Island resident is a common scheme. But criminals are constantly refining their methods. They now use sophisticated tricks to appear more legitimate.

The “Boss Scam” Targets New Hires

One ruthless version is the “boss scam.” It specifically targets new employees. Criminals pose as company executives. A recent Financial Times report revealed a shocking Boss Scam incident, where a scammer sent an email to a new starter, Poppy, on their first day.

The fake boss told the worker to purchase gift cards to send to clients, playing on their desire to make a good impression. Before discovering that it was a scam, the victim had already spent more than £2,000 on gift cards.

How on earth did the scammers know it was Poppy’s first day at work? Executive chairman of Cypfer, Jason Hogg, said it’s some form of social engineering scam where the scammer conducts link analysis – the scammers collect information about the targets from social media platforms, then connect the dots to find out their interests, jobs, and other details.

Spotting and Preventing Phishing

PayPal warns consumers about phishing scams in an October 15 press statement. The company said it will continue to fight evolving scams.

According to PayPal, Fraudsters “fish” for information and money by deceiving unsuspecting people. They pretend to be familiar brands, tricking you into feeling comfortable with the incoming request. They also create urgency, which pressures you to take action.

PayPal is advising people to stop and take a moment to think about it. Never hand over your personal information when someone asks out of the blue. If you get some suspicious requests, reach out directly to the company via their official website or app before even considering compliance with a request.

If you’re exposed to phishing, report it and block the sender. Quite honestly, an ounce of prevention is the best cure for this type of scam.