North Fort Myers man nearly fell victim to growing scam flagged by FBI

NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK)—The FBI is out with a new alert warning users that cyber crooks are sending out fake and malicious websites.

The scammers are using some alarming scare tactics to trick victims into giving up their cash.

A North Fort Myers man tells WINK Investigates he was almost a victim.

Florida residents lost $1.5 billion last year to online scammers, according to the FBI. Steve Seifert of North Fort Myers was almost one of those victims, and now he wants others to know how skilled many of these scammers are.

Last week, the FBI sent out a new warning about cyber crooks increasingly using traffic distribution system, or TDS, to redirect victims to malicious websites.

Around the same time, Seifert was surfing online when pop-ups took over his computer.

"It kept repeating, 'Microsoft has observed an illegal function on your computer. Call Microsoft Help to get it taken care of.' It gave a little number at the bottom," Seifert said.

Seifert called the number he thought was from Microsoft. That's when he was stunned by what they said was on his computer.

"He said they used your credit cards to try to purchase child porn and make bets," Seifert said. "He has me hooked. I don't want anything to do with child porn. So, I’m listening heavy."

Seifert was concerned, but he kept his wits about him. Once they started asking for his bank account information, he realized it was a fraud.

"I hung up," Seifert said. “So, I called WINK."

WINK Investigates called the number the scammers left for Seifert. They claimed to be from Microsoft, but after a few minutes talking with the scammer, who changed his name multiple times, he hung up.

Retired FBI agent Rich Kolko says it's no surprise the crooks resort to scare tactics like child porn and illegal gambling.

"That kind of thing puts fear in people, and they may click on that link and try and resolve it," Kolko said. "And in this case, it was a scam."

Every day last year, 3,000 people fell victim to cybercrime and identity theft in the U.S., according to the FBI.

Florida had the third highest losses behind only Texas and California.

Phishing, extortion and investment schemes were the most common complaints.

"A lot of people are scammed, and they're embarrassed to report it, but the fact of the matter is, everybody is susceptible to this, and there's no reason to be embarrassed," Kolko said.

While Seifert didn't lose any money, he tells WINK Investigates one of his neighbors lost more than $2,000 to the same type of fraud. He wants everyone in Southwest Florida to be alert while online.

"I wanted it out," Seifert said. "So that other older people don't get caught. I know better and they almost got me."

Cyber experts say it's important to always download your latest security updates and never click on a link you don't recognize. If someone calls you claiming to be from your bank or a software company, look up the number yourself and call them to see if they are legitimate.

If you have a story you want WINK Investigates to dig into, email us at winkinvestigates@winknews.com or call our tip line at (239)-344-5074.