A new scam involving a fraudulent financial planner targeting individuals via Facebook Messenger has been reported. Victims are lured into investing with promises of quick profits, only to be asked for additional funds and fees. Here are the specifics of the incident:

A victim from VA, USA (22060) was contacted via Facebook Messenger by a scammer claiming to be a financial planner. The scammer, who followed the victim’s Facebook page, convinced the victim to invest $300 with the promise of a quick profit. After depositing the initial amount, the scammer demanded an additional $300, claiming it was a common occurrence. Despite ignoring numerous calls and messages, the victim was pressured to pay a withdrawal fee of $500-$700 to access a supposed profit of $7500. The scammer also demanded a 10% fee for their services. Throughout the ordeal, the scammer continued to comment on the victim’s Facebook posts, urging them to respond.

Scammer Information:

• Location: Charlotte, NC
• Date Reported: April 24, 2024

If you have been scammed by individuals posing as financial planners on Facebook or encountered similar fraudulent activities, please share your experience. This information could be crucial in identifying and stopping these scammers.