Milpitas Resident Duped In Phone Scam

MILPITAS, CA -- Following a resident's report of a telephone fraud scam, the Milpitas Police Department is warning residents to be aware of urgent calls presenting a problem in which the only solution involves immediately sending money.

A resident reported that on Feb. 19 at 6:39 p.m. a caller identified himself as “Milpitas Police Sergeant Hardy Watson.” The suspect was able to “spoof call” the victim, which enabled the suspect’s phone number to appear as the Milpitas Police Department’s business phone number.

The suspect told the victim she would be transferred to a “translator” and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services official to speak with her regarding her bank accounts being compromised. The “translator” told the victim in order to resolve the issue she would need to go to the U.S. Social Security Administration and would need to prepay first to make an appointment. The “translator” requested payment in the form of Google Play gift cards.

Believing this to be a legitimate request, the victim purchased the gift cards in the sum requested and provided the gift card numbers and PINs to the “translator.”