Elderly Man Scammed Out Of $120K After Being Contacted About Computer Virus Support

By Sam Borcia, Lake & McHenry County Scanner

August 13, 2022 9:21 AM

Police say an 80-year-old man from Harvard sent gift cards and Bitcoin totaling $120,000 to an online scammer over the course of several months.

The Harvard Police Department received an internet fraud report around 10:30 a.m. on August 3.

Harvard Police Chief Tyson Bauman said an 80-year-old Harvard man reported that he was contacted on his computer regarding virus support.

Over the course of several months, the man purchased gift cards and Bitcoin and sent them to an unknown person or persons through the internet.

The amount the victim lost was approximately $120,000.

Bauman said it is unclear why such a large amount of money was sent.

The victim told police the money was for virus support and “fees and services” before he discovered it was a scam.

Bauman said he urges residents to never purchase gift cards or Bitcoin as a form of payment when someone reaches out to them no matter “what company they represent or agency they work for.”

The incident remains under investigation by the Harvard Police Department.

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