Full Notification

During the first week of February, a member of our elderly community fell victim to a phone scam. The scammer convinced the victim to withdrawal large sums of cash to fix a fake “data breach”. The victim enlisted help from family and friends who alerted the Novato Police Department.

Patrol officers learned the scammers were planning to pick up more cash from the victim. The NPD Investigations Section began surveillance at the victim's home and waited for the scammer to show.

On February 9, 2024, a vehicle arrived at the victim's house. Detectives moved in and arrested the driver. He was identified as Volodymyr Pipskyy, a 40-year-old Roseville resident. Detectives seized electronics and other evidence that linked Pipskyy to scams all over northern California. Pipskyy is being held without bail at the Marin County Jail on charges of Conspiracy and Theft by False Pretenses.

NPD Detectives continue to work with allied agencies and federal partners to reduce scams in our community. Be cautious of fraudulent behaviors and know how to avoid them with the safety tips below.

Scammers:

• PRETEND to be from an organization you know.
• Say there’s a PROBLEM or a PRIZE.
• PRESSURE you to act immediately.
• Tell you to PAY in a specific way.

• Block unwanted calls and text messages.
• Don’t give your personal or financial information in response to a request that you didn’t expect.
• Resist the pressure to act immediately.
• Know how scammers tell you to pay.
• Stop and talk to someone you trust.