Police warn of job scam that targets, threatens students in Malden

Authorities are warning the community about a trending job scam that’s targeting Malden Public Schools students.

According to police, several students received emails that appeared to come from staff members about a fake “job opportunity.”

The scammer then reportedly requests the victims’ biographical information and banking information so they can “deposit a fake check.”

Police said one student obeyed.

“He went to a store and bought some gift cards, scratched them off and then sent them to the hackers and then he was out a few hundred dollars,” said Capt. Marc Gatcomb, Malden Police department.

According to the police report the teen sent the hackers $900.

High school senior Dwayne Saintvil said he got one of the messages but knew enough not to click on the link.

“They said they were going to give us $300 it was pretty obvious,” said Saintvil.

If the victim doesn’t comply, police say the scammer sends threatening messages including pictures of guns and explicit threats of physical violence.

“A preliminary investigation indicates that these threats lack credibility and are merely a scare tactic,” police wrote in a social media post.

Despite the lack of immediate danger, officials are reminding students and residents alike not to give out personal information to anyone or any business you can’t verify is real.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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