A U. of I. student was contacted through social media by an unknown person who requested that the student send intimate photos of himself. When the student did so, the unknown person threatened to distribute the photos unless the student paid $900. The student refused payment, and the photos were sent to several of the student’s social media contacts.

A U. of I. student attempted to purchase a gaming console from an online seller advertising the item for sale on social media. The student and the seller agreed on a sale price of $500, and that the student would pay half in advance and half when he received the item. The student transferred $250 via online payment. As of Tuesday, the student had not received the item and the seller has stopped returning his messages.

A U. of I. student was contacted through an internet messaging app by an unknown person, to whom he consensually sent images of an intimate nature. The unknown person then threatened to post the images publicly unless the student paid the scammer. The student did not pay.

A U. of I. student who works for a local business reported that her employer was the victim of deceptive practices. The student received a text message from someone claiming to be her supervisor who directed her to purchase gift cards from local retailers. The student used the business’s credit card to purchase $2,500 in gift cards and transferred the card information to the unknown person.

A U. of I. student reported that he was scammed out of $100 by a person he met online. The student arranged a dinner date with a woman through a dating app. While the student was waiting at the restaurant, he received a text from the woman indicating that she needed money to pay for a babysitter. The student sent electronic gift cards but the woman never arrived for the date.