Newark – Newark Police Department (NPD) is investigating a fraud that occurred through a series of MoneyGram transactions in April of 2017 and reported to the police on April 27, 2017, according to NPD Spokesman Lt. Fred Nelson.
Nelson said the victim, a 20-year-old female who lives in the 200 block of S. Main Street, reported that she was attempting to purchase a kitten online and began corresponding with an unknown person by email.
The victim agreed to purchase the kitten for $390 and sent payment by MoneyGram to Houston, Texas, said Nelson. The victim was then instructed to send several more payments by MoneyGram in order to pay for shipping, medical testing, and insurance.
A “company” then advised her that she would need to send additional money or the FBI would investigate her for animal abuse. The victim sent a total of $2,867.50 through MoneyGram, and the “company” later refused to refund her the money when it was determined to be a scam, according to Nelson.
Police are asking anyone with additional information regarding this incident to contact Officer Alex Whitt at 302-366-7100 ext. 3183 or [email protected]