A U. of I. student reported that an unknown person sent him a friend request on Instagram and initiated a private conversation, during which the unknown person encouraged the student to send intimate photos of himself. After the photo was sent, the unknown person demanded that the student use a mobile app to send $400 […]
Author: Patrick Wade
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Fake job ad
A U. of I. student reported that he had received an email advertising a job opportunity with a university professor. The email directed the student to text an unknown number, which he did. The scammer asked the student to send $200 via electronic transfer of the student’s own money to a third party, promising that […]
Sexual extortion
A U. of I. student reported that he was contacted via Instagram by an unknown person, who then suggested they move the conversation to Snapchat. The student was encouraged to send intimate photos of himself to the unknown person, who then took screenshots of the images and threatened to send them to the student’s social […]

UIPD releases additional details in student death investigation
URBANA, Illinois – University of Illinois Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the Jan. 20 death of Akul Dhawan, a student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Information collected so far supports the initial belief that the death was accidental, and no foul play occurred. Mr. Dhawan, 18, was found deceased at about […]
Fake investment scheme
A U. of I. student reported that he befriended an unknown person through Instagram who got him interested in an investment plan involving cryptocurrency. The student transferred as much as $40,000 to the fake account over the course of several months. When he asked to withdraw the money, the person facilitating the investments cut off […]
Fake customer support
A U. of I. student reported that he was experiencing issues with his Apple AirPods and Googled the customer support number. The student called the number and spoke with an individual purporting to be a customer service representative. The representative ultimately told the student that all his Apple devices had been hacked and transferred him […]
Fake tickets
A U. of I. student reported that someone purporting to be another U. of I. student in a GroupMe chat offered concert tickets for sale. The purchaser asked for confirmation of the seller’s identity, and the seller offered a photo of herself holding her student identification. The purchaser sent $450 to the seller via Zelle, […]

University Police investigating student death
URBANA, Illinois – University of Illinois Police are investigating after an 18-year-old U. of I. student was found deceased Saturday morning in the 1200 block of West Nevada Street, Urbana. Preliminary information suggests that there was no foul play involved, and the death is initially believed to be accidental. The investigation is ongoing, and the […]
Fake bank employee
A U. of I. student reported that she received a text message purporting to be from her bank asking her if a transaction was valid or fraudulent. She replied that it was fraudulent. The student then received a call from someone purporting to be a bank employee who asked for account information, passcodes, personal identification […]

No shots fired, no injuries in armed person call
URBANA, Illinois – At 12:21 p.m. Saturday, University of Illinois Police responded to the I Hotel and Illinois Conference Center after it was reported that someone displayed a firearm during a dispute. No shots were fired, and no one was injured. People at the I Hotel, 1900 S. First St., Champaign, self-evacuated when they heard […]