SCPD Warns the Public to be Aware of COVID-19 Scams

As the COVID-19 crisis continues, scammers are using this as an opportunity to take advantage of consumers. SCPD reminds you to be on the lookout for scammers and their schemes. Often scammers will try to impersonate a government agency or a business (such as a utility company or bank) and try to befriend you in hopes of getting you to pay them money, provide personal information, or access your home.

PSA Video on SCPD YouTube 
Stay informed by following these tips to protect yourself.

• Ignore offers for vaccinations and home test kits. Scammers are selling fake or unproven products to treat or prevent COVID-19. Beware of text messages and emails offering cures, information, or financial assistance related to COVID-19.

• Hang up on robocalls. Don't press any numbers or answer any questions.

• Do NOT respond to texts, emails, or calls about checks from the government. No one will call or text you to verify the information before "releasing" funds; this is a scam.

• Watch out for phishing emails and text messages. Don't click on links from sources you don't know or emails/texts you aren't expecting to receive.

• Research before you donate. Don't let anyone rush you into a donation. Be cautious if you're feeling pressured to share information or make a payment immediately. Never donate in cash, by gift card, or by wiring money. Get tips on giving wisely at ftc.gov/charity.

• To report COVID-19 related scam in Santa Cruz County should contact the District Attorney's Office by calling (831)454-2050 or at http://datinternet.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/…/ConsumerProtection… or the police department.

Santa Cruz Police Department shares COVID -19 Scam Alert public service announcement in English and Spanish at www.SantaCruzPolice.com, SCPD YouTube and, cityofsantacruz.com/coronavirus. 

For more information on coronavirus related scams, you can visit ftc.gov/coronavirus. You can report online and email scams to the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-382-4357 or visit the FTC website at consumer.ftc.gov.

For current information on the City of Santa Cruz's response to COVID-19, visit cityofsantacruz.com/coronavirus.

El Departamento de Policía de Santa Cruz alerta al público sobre las estafas relacionadas con la crisis de COVID-19.  Los estafadores continúan aprovechándose de ésta crisis para defraudar a los consumidores

𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎 𝐄𝐍 𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐀Ñ𝐎𝐋 𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐋𝐔𝐈𝐃𝐎 on SCPD YouTube

El Departamento de Policía de Santa Cruz recomiemnda al público estar alerta sobre los estafadores y sus engaños. Con frecuencia los estafadores pretender ser miembros del gobierno o negocios como bancos o empresas de servicios, o intentan establecer relaciones amigables con sus víctimas, con el fin de obtener dinero, información personal, o accesso a sus hogares.

El Departamento de Policía de Santa Cruz aconseja observar las siguientes recomendaciones:
-Ignore ofertas de vacunas o tests de pruebas caseros, pues los estafadores están vendiendo productos ficticios para tratar or prevenir el COVID-19. Sospeche de mensajes de texto o correo electrónico que ofrezcan curas, información o asistencia financiera relacionada con COVID-19.

-Cuelgue el teléfono, o no conteste cuando reciba llamadas indeseadas, y no presione ninguna tecla en su teléfono.

-No responda a llamadas telefónicas, mensajes de texto o correo electrónico relacionados con cheques del gobierno. El estado nunca le llamará para confirmar su información antes de desembolsar fondos.

-Esté alerta sobre mensajes de texto o de correo electrónico que intenten obtener sus datos personales, y nunca acceda a ningún vínculo o dirección de Internet recibidos de personas desconocidas.

-Antes de hacer cualquier donación, investigue su proveniencia y destino, y no se deje presionar de quienes las solicitan. Nunca done dinero en efectivo, mediante tarjetas prepagads o de regalo, o mediante transferencias bancarias.

Para mas informació sobre como donar seguramente acceda a la página Internet de la Comisión Federal de Comercio (FTC): ftc.gov/charity.

El Departamento de Policía de Santa Cruz comparte sus alertas públicas sobre las estafas de COVID -19 en inglés y español a través de las redes sociales: www.SantaCruzPolice.com, SCPD YouTube y cityofsantacruz.com/coronavirus

Para obtener información actualizada de la respuesta de la Ciudad de Santa Cruz a la crisis de COVID-19, visite la siguiente página en Internet: cityofsantacruz.com/coronavirus.

Para información adicional sobre las estafas relacionadas con el coronavirus, visite la la página Internet que la Comisión Federal de Comercio (FTC) ha creado para éste fin: ftc.gov/coronavirus.

Usted puede reportar éstas estafas llamando a la Comisión Federal de Comercio (FTC) a 1-877-382-4357 or visitando su página en Internet: consumer.ftc.gov.

Detective Warren's Dedication Leads To Arrest In Distraction Robbery Case - Pursued suspect purchased a one-way ticket to Romania and is now in custody.

Detective Warren's Dedication Leads To Arrest In Distraction Robbery Case - Pursued suspect purchased a one-way ticket to Romania and is now in custody.

On March 16, 2018, three individuals came into Byzantine Jewelry store on Pacific Avenue and began talking to the owner of the store. A male in the group, later identified as Roman Petre, was asking the owner various questions about merchandise and claimed he wanted to buy a gift for his wife. While the owner was engaged in talking to the initial group of customers, five more women came into the store and started to ask questions about merchandise.

** DISTRACTION SCAM - Diverting your attention with bogus questions and conversations is one of the oldest tricks in the book.

We call it a distraction scam when thieves working in organized pairs or a group create a distraction to steal from you. While you’re focused on another task or errand, they take advantage of your lack of attention to steal your valuables.**

The owner was getting an uneasy feeling and told the various members of each group he could only help one person at time. During this conversation, the owner noticed one of the females from the group was partially behind a display counter on the other side of the store. When he confronted her, the woman said she did not want to spend any money because he yelled at her and she was not feeling good. Both groups walked out together and left the area on Pacific Avenue.

Sensing something was off, the owner reviewed his security camera and saw one of the females in the group had crawled behind the counter to the back room where a safe was. The owner determined that over $20,000 in gold coins and silver bars were taken. After a full store inventory check, a total of $79,496 worth of various items including precious stones and jewelry was stolen.

 

Roman Petre Arrest In Distraction Robbery Case

Assigned to the case, SCPD Detective Brain Warren was determined to identify and track down the culprits. Thanks to Detective Warren's dedicated efforts, one suspect, Roman Petre 28 years old from Anaheim, was identified, tracked down and arrested in Orange County, Ca.

Recently, Detective Warren received information that Mr. Petre had purchased a one-way ticket to Romania departing Friday 8/24/18.

SCPD, in cooperation with the LAPD and a bail bond agency, detained Mr. Petre at the airport. Mr. Petre was transported back to the County of Santa Cruz and booked into jail. His bail is set at 1 million dollars.

Great Detective work and investigation follow up! Well done Detective Warren!

#SantaCruzPolice is dedicated to our community with ongoing efforts to keep Santa Cruz a safe place to live, work and raise a family. #SafetyThroughVigilance