Mortgage Wire Fraud Scam Targets Local Woman
SMITHFIELD – A hacker posing as a real estate attorney scammed a Johnston County resident out of a large sum of money.
The victim is among the latest in a mortgage wire fraud scam, which has been increasing in recent months.
In this particular case, the victim was preparing to buy a home in South Carolina. The victim had been working with a real estate attorney in South Carolina. They had agreed that she would bring a certified bank check on the day of the real estate closing.
Unknown to the victim, the law firm’s email account had been hacked. The scammer intercepted communications and began impersonating the attorney using a different email address.
The scammer instructed the buyer that she now needed to wire funds in advance of closing for the home purchase.
Not realizing she was communicating with an impostor, she wired $131,657 as instructed. The following day, she realized it was a scam and immediately notified law enforcement.
Authorities are working to recover her money.
To protect yourself, always verify wire instructions with the lender or your attorney and never depend solely upon an email. Be suspicious of any last-minute changes, and use established contact phone numbers and email addresses.
In 2022, an estimated $446 million was lost to scammers due to mortgage fraud schemes.
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2 Comments
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Stupidity has reached levels that are unfathomable. Should one assume the decline is irreversible? I’m amazed they don’t starve or drown. Imagine a job interview…. What a thought process.
I am so sorry that happened to you. That is really very sad. They will answer for what they have done one day. I hope you find forgiveness. I hope you tell everyone you know exactly what happened so it doesn’t happen to them. Someone should have talked to you about it before now. It’s time for someone to step up again with more awareness for this kind of thing. The Internet provider would be a good start. Family, don’t let the elderly especially Internet alone. Talk with someone before sending this kind of money. Talk to your real estate agent live before sending at least.