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Police Investigating Gift Card Scam Of Elderly Man In Westchester

Police are cautioning residents to be on alert after a scammer took a 77-year-old man for hundreds of dollars in gift cards pretending to be working for Apple.

An elderly man in Scarsdale was taken for hundreds of dollars in iTunes gift cards.

An elderly man in Scarsdale was taken for hundreds of dollars in iTunes gift cards.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

A Sage Terrace homeowner reported to Scarsdale police over the weekend that he had been the victim of a scam after receiving several voicemail messages claiming that a there was a security breach on his Apple devices.

Police said that on Nov. 3, the man called the phone number left for him and spoke to “Alex,” who claimed to be an Apple representative and that the breach could be repaired if he was sent several iTunes gift cards in denominations smaller than $100.

After purchasing the cards, photographing them and emailing them to “Alex,” the victim was informed that he would be refunded via check. “Alex” was then given access to the computer to make repairs remotely, and police said the victim could see different red and green images coming up on his computer on his screen after allowing him access.

The following day, police said that the victim received a second call, stating the breach was worse and that he would need a new router, which could be purchased with additional iTunes gift cards. In an effort to ensure that his devices were working properly, the 77-year-old man purchased the cards and was told someone would be at his home with the refund check and to install the router.

According to police, no technician came, and the man contacted AppleCare and was told that they would never accept payment in the form of iTunes cards, prompting him to reach out to police.

The amount of money in iTunes gift cards the victim was scammed for was not disclosed. If a suspect is apprehended, they would face a felony charge of grand larceny and second-degree criminal impersonation, a misdemeanor.

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