Manatee County woman scammed out of more than $27K after fake security alert about child porn

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has alerted the public about a fraudulent tech support scam that targeted an 88-year-old woman, resulting in a loss of more than $27,000. The scam commenced when the victim received a deceptive security alert on her computer, which falsely claimed her Mac was compromised by child pornography. This alarming message appeared to be from Apple support, causing confusion and distress for the elderly woman, who was convinced of the threat despite knowing she had not committed any wrongdoing. The spokesperson for the Sheriff's Office, Randy Warren, highlighted the emotional toll on the victim, stating, "She’s being told that she purchased child porn, and she knows she didn’t do this. " This incident underscores the importance of educating seniors and the general public about recognizing and avoiding tech scams.

The Sheriff's Office is actively working to inform the community and prevent similar scams in the future. Authorities encourage individuals to report any suspicious messages or calls from supposed tech support services. This case serves as a critical reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by the elderly in the digital age.