- The Lehigh County District Attorney's Office on Monday announced the recovery of more than $115,000 for a 64-year-old Salisbury Township man in an online real estate transaction this year
- The victim was tricked into believing an email by scammers was from the legitimate title company he was using
- Such scams typically target older citizens
SALISBURY TWP., Pa. — Imagine that sinking feeling upon learning you’ve been scammed out of more than $115,000.
Then, less than a month later, imagine the feeling of relief upon learning those funds have been recovered.
That 180-degree turn of emotions was experienced this year by a 64-year-old Salisbury Township resident who was scammed in an online fraudulent real estate transaction.
It was learned the Capital One account to which the victim was instructed to send money was not connected to the title agency and had been frozen by authorities in Texas for similar fraudulent activity.Lehigh County District Attorney's Office news release
According to a Monday news release from the Lehigh County District Attorney’s office, the victim told Salisbury Township Police Detective Diano Reavis on March 16 that he was in the process of buying a property in Florida.
The victim, whose name the DA's office said is being withheld to protect his identity from possible future scammers, said the sale of his home was going through a legitimate title company.
The scammers subsequently contacted him using an email address similar to that of the title company and told him how to wire $115,214.67 for closing costs.
The victim contacted his bank with details for the transfer to a Capital One account and the transfer was successfully concluded.
However, before the money could be removed from the Capital One account, the fraud was discovered.
On April 23, Reavis learned the Capital One account was not connected to the title agency and had been frozen by authorities in Texas for similar fraudulent activity.
Lehigh County Chief Deputy District Attorney Joseph R. Stauffer approved a search warrant that ultimately resulted in the return of the victim’s funds from the frozen account.
The name on the Capital One account is fraudulent and the investigation continues by law enforcement in various jurisdictions.
Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin reminded the public that fraudulent schemes are prevalent and that many of the perpetrators target older citizens.Lehigh County District Attorney's Office news release
Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin commended the prompt action of Reavis and Stauffer in resolving the matter.
Martin also reminded the public that fraudulent schemes are prevalent and that many of the perpetrators target older citizens.
The Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office Elder Abuse Task Force can be reached at 610-782-3700.
