Phone and internet scams are common no matter where you are. Be aware of how to identify scams and what to do if you encounter one.
In these scams and many others that have occurred over the years, the scammers tend to target international students. Often, there are language or cultural barriers that make international students more susceptible.
Here are the red flags to keep in mind when you receive a call from an unknown person:
- No government official will ever demand money over the phone. If someone claims to be a police officer, immigration official, a tax agent, or any other government representative demanding money, the call is likely a scam.
- Scammers try to intimidate victims with empty threats of arrest or deportation. If a caller threatens to have you arrested if you hang up, the call is likely a scam.
- Often, scammers will demand payment in the form of something other than cash. If a caller directs you to purchase gift cards or transfer payment in the form of virtual currency, the call is likely a scam.
- Sometimes, scammers will direct you to visit a series of banks to withdraw cash. Scammers know that withdrawing large amounts of cash raises red flags for bank employees, so they will direct the victim to visit a number of banks to withdraw smaller amounts.
- Scammers often “spoof” phone numbers of legitimate agencies. Number “spoofing” makes the victim’s caller ID display a legitimate phone number even though the call is originating from somewhere entirely different. If you have doubts about a caller’s identity, you should hang up and call the listed number for that agency to speak to a representative.
If you encounter any of these red flags, hang up immediately and call police. The 24-hour non-emergency number for the University of Illinois Police Department is 217-333-1216, or you can email us at police@illinois.edu.
Sexual extortion
Sexual extortion — commonly known as “sextortion” — is a form of sexual exploitation where an unknown individual will contact you (often on social media) and encourage you to send intimate photos or videos of yourself. After the photo is sent, the unknown person will demand that you send them money under the threat of publicly posting the photo, or sending it to your social media contacts.
To avoid a “sextortion” scam:
- Remain vigilant and skeptical of online acquaintances whom you have never met in person. Remember, they may not tell the truth and aim to lure victims into a false sense of security.
- Ensure your privacy settings are set to an appropriate level so strangers cannot take note of your personal information or contacts/friends/followers.
- If you choose to engage in sexual activity on the internet, it is imperative that you know and trust the person on the other end and that everyone involved is a consenting adult.
- It is not recommended to pay a scammer. Offenders may return the next day for even more money.
- Those who do become a target or victim of sextortion should make note of the user’s online profiles, usernames and contact information to report to police. Communication with the offender should stop immediately.
Scam log
These scams have been reported to the University of Illinois Police Department. We post them here so you can be better informed about what to watch out for.
- Fake tech support
A U. of I. student reported purchasing a monthly subscription she no longer wanted. The student searched the Apple customer support phone number online and clicked on the first one that appeared. The offender informed the student that she would have to send money in gift cards to receive a refund for the monthly subscription. The student initially purchased a $300 and a $200 Target gift card and provided the offender with the card information. She was then instructed to buy two more $300 gift cards, and she complied. When the offender asked the student to purchase $700 in gift cards, she realized she was being scammed. The student ceased all communication with the scammer and contacted police.
- Sexual extortion
A man contacted U. of I. police to report that he was the victim of extortion. The man was contacted via Facebook Messenger by a female whose picture he had commented on previously. After exchanging explicit photos and videos, the offender told him she would share the images with his family and friends unless he sent her a $100 pre-paid Visa card. After sending the Visa card, the offender told the man the card was not valid and requested $200 in pre-paid Apple gift cards. The man complied but continued to receive threatening messages from the offender. The man contacted police and ceased all communication with the offender.
- Fake homework assistance
A U. of I. student contacted an individual on WhatsApp for assistance with locating sources for an assignment. Both parties agreed that each source would cost $30, and the student transferred $180 to the offender via the online banking platform Remitly for six sources. After transferring the funds, the student never received the sources and questioned the offender, who began requesting more money and threatening the student. The student contacted police and ceased communication with the scammer.
- Fake art project
A U. of I. student reported being the victim of an internet-based scam. The student was contacted via direct message on Instagram by an unknown account. The unknown user asked the student if they could use photos from his profile for an art project and told him he would be compensated. The student agreed and was emailed three checks totaling $2,100. After depositing the checks, the student was asked for proof of the deposits, which he provided. The offender then asked the student to send them money for art supplies. The student became suspicious of the unknown individual, reported his concerns to his bank and contacted police.
- Fake concert tickets
A U. of I. student reported that she attempted to purchase four concert tickets she saw for sale on the social media app GroupMe. The student paid $500 for the ticket via Zelle and was asked to provide proof of her identity by posing with her university student ID on her forehead. Once the transaction was complete, the offender ceased contact with the student, who then contacted police.
- Fake boss
A U. of I. student reported receiving an email from someone purporting to be her boss. The fake boss instructed her to purchase Apple and Target gift cards as part of a surprise to reward her coworkers for their hard work. After buying the gift cards at Walgreens, the offender instructed the student to send the card information via email. The student purchased 15 gift cards totaling $4,050. The student began to get suspicious, ceased contact with the offender and contacted police.
- Sexual extortion
A U. of I. student reported that he was the victim of extortion. The student exchanged private messages with an unknown person on Instagram before the conversation moved to Snapchat. After exchanging explicit photos and videos, the offender demanded the student send $300 under threat of sending the videos to his friends. The student complied, and the offender asked for more money. In total, the student sent $800. The offender asked for an additional $200, but the student ceased communication with the offender and contacted police.
- Sexual extortion
A U. of I. student reported that he exchanged private messages with an unknown person on WhatsApp. The conversation became sexual in nature, and the unknown person invited the student into a video chat to perform intimate acts. When the video chat ended, the unknown person instructed the student to send $1,000 under threat of sending the video to the student’s social media contacts and the university. The student ceased contact with the offender and contacted police.
- Sexual extortion
A U. of I. student reported that he was the victim of extortion. The student exchanged private messages with an unknown person on Instagram before the conversation moved to Snapchat. The unknown individual eventually requested that the student send explicit photos of himself. The student complied, and the unknown person threatened to send the photos to the student’s social media followers unless the student paid the unknown offender. After sending $300, the student ceased communication with the offender and contacted police.
- Sexual extortion
A U. of I. student reported that an unknown person sent him a message on Instagram and initiated a private conversation, during which the unknown person encouraged the student to send intimate photos of himself. The conversation moved to Snapchat, where the student sent intimate photos. After sending the photos, the unknown person demanded that the student send $800 under threat of publicly posting the photo. The student complied and sent $500 across three transactions. The student ceased contact with the scammer and contacted police.