DATE: February 19, 2019
LOCATION: City of Milpitas
CASE #: 19-050-171
SUSPECT: Unknown
On February 19, 2019, at approximately 6:39 P.M., a resident called the Milpitas Police Department to report a fraudulent scam taking place over the telephone. The suspect called the victim stating he was “Milpitas Police Sergeant Hardy Watson.” The suspect was able to “spoof call” the victim which enabled the suspect’s phone number to appear as the Milpitas Police Department’s business phone number. The suspect told the victim she would be transferred to a “translator” and then a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) official to speak with her regarding her bank accounts being compromised.
The “translator” told the victim in order to resolve the issue she would need to go to the U.S. Social Security Administration but would need to prepay first to make an appointment. The “translator” requested payment in the form of Google Play gift cards. Believing this to be a legitimate request, the victim purchased the gift cards in the sum requested and provided the gift card numbers and PINs to the “translator.”
The Milpitas Police Department would like to remind everyone to be aware of these types of scams and to be suspicious of any telephone calls where the caller imposes a problem or crisis and the only solution is to immediately send money. The fictitious problem or crisis can include an arrest warrant, an immigration issue, delinquent taxes, a relative in jail, or a kidnapped relative. The money demanded can be in the form of prepaid gift cards or money wire transfers through private money transfer companies.
As a reminder, genuine governmental agencies never accept payments by prepaid gift cards or through private money transfer companies.
If an individual calls you identifying themselves as a law enforcement officer or a representative of a law enforcement agency and you believe the phone call is suspicious in nature, you are encouraged to contact the law enforcement agency in question to verify the caller’s identity.
If you have any information regarding this investigation; then you are encouraged to call the Milpitas Police Department at (408) 586-2400. Additionally, the information can be given anonymously by calling the Crime Tip Hotline at (408) 586-2500 or via the Milpitas Police Department Website at: http://www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov/crimetip
Press Release By: Lieutenant John Torrez #209
Date/Time: February 20, 2019 / 8:30 A.M.
