A fake virus alert on a computer screen may look like a routine tech problem, but New York City police say it can quickly turn into a devastating scam that drains older adults' life savings.
The warning comes as investigators say losses tied to the scheme have climbed past $100 million, prompting authorities to urge seniors and their families to stay alert.
What's happening?
Investigators say the scam often begins with a bogus tech warning.
According to ABC30, victims may see a pop-up pretending to be from Microsoft that falsely claims a computer has been infected and instructs them to call a number to unlock the device.
Giving in to that prompt can quickly expose far more than the computer itself.
Detective Emilio Gomez of the NYPD Financial Crimes Task Force Cybersquad said, "In this process, the victims get coerced to provide remote access to the computers, allowing these perpetrators to gain control."
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Investigators say victims who make the call are often talked into surrendering control of their computers and, in many cases, their banking details.
Police say the scheme can continue after that initial access, with scammers allegedly calling back while impersonating Treasury or law enforcement personnel and pushing victims to turn their money into gold bars for "protection."
Gomez added, "When I'm in control, it means that they have access to your webcam, your printer, your audio and your computer."
Homeland Security, the IRS and police agencies outside New York have been assisting an NYPD investigation that began in May 2024, investigators said.
Why does it matter?
To make the exchange appear legitimate, police say scammers may use a code word or number when a courier comes to a victim's home to collect the gold while the victim stays on the phone.
The scale of the losses is immense: investigators said they believe the number of victims is in the hundreds and that total losses exceed $100 million.
Sergeant Rashawn Vaughn with the NYPD Financial Crimes Task Force said, "The amount of money they're getting from some of these victims is very, very staggering, $9 million on one shot, $5.8 million in another case."
What can I do?
Investigators' advice is to cut off contact immediately. If a message on your computer says the device is infected and tells you to call a number, log off instead of responding.
And if someone claiming to be from Microsoft, the Treasury Department or the police demands money or gold, hang up right away.
People can also help protect older relatives by discussing common scam tactics before a crisis occurs. A family plan can include checking suspicious messages with a trusted person, never granting remote access to a stranger, and refusing any request to convert savings into gold bars or other unusual forms of payment.
Police have seized some gold bars during search-warrant operations, and authorities said those recoveries could help fund partial restitution for New York victims.
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