Framingham resident is scammed out of $24,000 as part of phone spoofing scam

FRAMINGHAM — A local resident is out $24,000 after falling victim to a scam that is targeting several communities, authorities said.

Someone is using spoofed phone numbers from local police departments, using real officers’ names and calling people and demanding money.

Police in Framingham , Blackstone and Bellingham , have each reported repeated incidents. The scammers, believed to be part of the same group, also used a spoof phone number from Framingham District Court .

“They’re spoofing our business line number and calling people,” said Framingham police spokeswoman Rachel Mickens . “They’re specifically saying they’re Deputy Chief Ron Ceasar, which is not correct. He’s an officer, he’s not a deputy. They’ve used different names in the past.”

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The way the scam works is the victim receives an electronic message in which the caller identifies himself or herself as a police officer and then tells the victim they have "an urgent legal message and to call them back directly,” according to Mickens.

The problem is the phone number they provide for the return call is not connected to police.

“Most people have been calling and letting us know and double-checking to see if it's real,” Mickens said. “(But) One resident responded to that number and lost $24,000.”

Victim was instructed to send money via Bitcoin machine in Natick

The victim was instructed to go to a bank and withdraw money. They were then directed to go to Roche Bros . in Natick and to use a Bitcoin ATM to deposit the money and to provide the associated code to the caller (scammer).

The victim is then out of the money because once it's converted to Bitcoin and the code is given to someone else, it's almost impossible to get it back, Mickens said.

Framingham isn’t the only community affected by the scam.

Blackstone residents are receiving calls from the Police Department business line with the caller identifying themselves as Police Chief Gregory Gilmore . They then attempt to get the person they’re calling to provide personal information, such as a Social Security number or date of birth.

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“Please do not respond to these requests,” Blackstone police said in a press release. “If you are uncertain, please call our department at 508-883-1212 and talk to an officer.”

Bellingham police reported similar incidents.

“We have just received information that this scam is also being perpetrated in Bellingham,” Bellingham police wrote in a Facebook post. “Please do not give information to anyone claiming to be from Bellingham police without verifying they are truly a Bellingham police officer.”

Framingham District Court also targeted in scam

Framingham District Court has also been used in the scam. Clerk Magistrate Robert Jubinville could not be reached for comment, but according to a message on the court's phone system, court officials say they're aware that someone is using the court’s number and demanding personal information. They said no one from court would request that information over the phone and recommend that people call their local police departments.

Mickens said the incidents are full of red flags, and that people should pay attention to them. She said the call is digitized and when the victim calls back, the scammer orders them to not tell anyone they’re speaking to police or on the phone. They also instruct victims not to send money in one lump sum, but instead have it sent in smaller amounts on several occasions.

“The Police Department isn’t going to be calling you and asking you to take money out of your bank account and give it to them,” said Mickens. “We’re not going to ask you to convert it to Bitcoin. None of that adds up, it’s all suspicious. Hang up the phone and call the Police Department.”

Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on X @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Framingham resident is scammed out of $24,000 as part of phone spoofing scam