A Houston woman was the victim of fraud after she was convinced she was acting as a mystery shopper as part of an online scam, according to the Houston Police Department.
The 39-year-old woman, who was initially contacted via email and shared text message correspondence with a man calling himself “Charles Rowland,” received 11 money orders totaling $10,395 from the man. She cashed them all at a local bank, kept $200 per “assignment” and forwarded the rest as directed.
“It’s one of the most popular games there is,” Houston Police Chief Jim McNiell said. “They’re preying on the economy and situations people are facing. They make you think you can make a lot of money without doing much. It’s fraud. It’s a scam.”
The woman, who told police she “needed the extra money,” responded to a Feb. 9 email with her personal information and six days later received a money order through Fed Ex for $945. The instructions were to cash the money order at the bank, keep $200 and spend $35 at Walmart to evaluate the business. She was also asked to send $650 to a gentleman in Austin, Texas.
Five days later, the woman received four separate money orders totally $3,780. She was asked to evaluate two Western Union locations before sending $3,200 to a location in Cyprus.
The final package contained six money orders totaling $5,670. The woman again deposited the money and followed instructions regarding where to send the money. She was alerted by her bank that the money orders were fraudulent and contacted authorities.
McNiell said the public should be leery of sending money overseas. He also encourages anyone who receives an offer of making easy money to contact the police department or attorney general.
“Times are tough, and people are looking for easy ways to make money,” McNiell said. “I think people need to think before they react. I hope people will contact authorities or the attorney general and seek some guidance before making a decision.”
McNiell warned citizens that any money withdrawn from a personal account becomes the liability of the account holder.
“When you deposit that check and withdraw money from your account, you are responsible for it,” he said. “You have to know that the money is coming from a reliable firm or person.”
Also in recent weeks, members of the Houston Police Department:
––Were dispatched Feb. 14 to an alarm call at the Eagles Club in Houston. The investigating officer discovered a window on the south side of the building had been broken out. Nothing was believed to be taken.
––Responded Feb. 17 to a U.S. 63 accident after Reuben Salazar, a deputy with the Texas County Sheriff’s Department, struck a deer in his 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe inside the city limits.
––Issued a ticket to Robert J. Branum, 32, of Houston, for traveling 53 mph in a 30 mph zone at Forrest and Illinois streets.
––Arrested Jonnie M. Johnson, 23, of Houston, on Feb. 19 following an incident at McDonald’s. He was charged with stealing under $500.
––Arrested Ethan Andrew Engel, 20, of Florissant, on Friday after he allegedly shoplifted several game cards totaling $21.94 from Walmart. He was charged with stealing under $500. During a traffic stop initiated by a Houston police officer and member of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Engel was charged with minor in possession of alcohol, misdemeanor possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.