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The FBI has released an advisory concerning a recent fraudulent scheme that has the potential to deplete your entire life savings.
This scheme, known as the 'Phantom Hacker' scam, involves criminals who make phone calls to their targets, assuming false identities as technology, financial, or government representatives, as disclosed by the FBI.
Subsequently, the fraudster persuades their victims..."a typically older victim that foreign hackers have infiltrated their financial account" and offers protection by allowing them to move their money to “U.S. government account” – which is really owned by the hacker. Some victims have lost their entire life savings in the ruse, per the FBI.
“These scammers are cold and calculated,” says Special Agent in Charge Gregory Nelsen. “They are targeting older members of our communities across the nation, who are particularly mindful of potential risks to their life savings. The criminals are using the victims’ own attentiveness against them.”