Snapchat Rip-Off

A Flanders woman fell prey to a social media scam last week. It is a malaise sweeping the nation and has already accounted for millions of dollars in losses for unsuspecting marks.

The woman told police she received a Snapchat message from a “friend” who told her she could make money by messaging an unknown man, to whom she ultimately sent her bank account information, social security number, and date of birth. After an initial check he sent her for $2751 cleared, the woman said he sent a second. Then, money started disappearing from her account.

Detectives are investigating and said the woman’s friend’s Snapchat account was hacked. The woman was given several booklets that explain how to prevent identity theft, police said.

rmurphy@indyeastend.com