Fake Facebook Marketplace buyer
A U of I student used Facebook Marketplace to sell clothing for $230 and was contacted by an interested buyer. The buyer sent $230 via Zelle, but the student never received the money. The buyer then asked the student to send $300 via Zelle because they overpaid, and the student complied. The buyer then requested an additional $500 from the student, who again complied. After receiving the second transaction, the buyer asked the student to share their bank account information. The student then realized they were being scammed, ceased contact with the scammer and contacted police.
University Police to host Community Unity Festival
URBANA, Illinois – The Division of Public Safety will host the Community Unity Festival on Tuesday, Aug. 27, to bring public safety agencies, service organizations and community members together. The event will take place between 5-8 p.m. on Aug. 27 on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign south quad. CU Fest is designed to create opportunities for law enforcement, students, faculty, staff and community members to interact in a positive, informal setting, jointly breaking down barriers and encouraging open communication. "The purpose of CU Fest is to build bridges between law enforcement and the community we serve in a fun, interactive [...]
Fake apartment sublease
A U. of I. student reported responding to a post she saw about an apartment lease in the "UIUC Housing Sublet & Roommates" Facebook group. After filling out the rental application and lease agreement, she was asked to send a deposit of $800 via Zelle. The initial transaction failed, so she sent $400 to two people. Once the transactions were complete, she was asked to send an additional $300 for apartment renovation costs to five different people, all of which failed. The student was then contacted by her bank, who advised her that the accounts had been flagged for scams [...]
University Police investigating multiple burglaries
CHAMPAIGN, Illinois – University Police are investigating nine burglary to motor vehicle (BMV) cases that occurred late Friday night and early Saturday morning in two campus parking garages. At 7:21 a.m. Saturday, UIPD officers were dispatched to the 200 block of East Green Street, Champaign, for three BMV reports. After speaking with the initial callers, officers located six additional victim vehicles. All nine vehicles had broken windows and were visibly rummaged through. The investigation is ongoing. University police are patrolling the area, and investigators are reviewing security camera footage and evidence collected at the scene. Police continue to seek any [...]
Fake job offer
A man reported receiving an email from someone purporting to be a representative of ORIC Pharmaceutical Company. After responding to the email, he was directed to contact a second individual via Microsoft Teams, and he was informed he would receive a $1,250 check via email. The scammer told the man to deposit the check into his account, go to the nearest CVS or Best Buy, purchase a $200 Sephora gift card and send them the receipt and card information. The man purchased the gift card but felt uneasy about the situation, so he discontinued communication with the scammer and contacted [...]