A 67-year-old Schuylkill County resident nearly lost $700 in a gift card scam after responding to a fraudulent social media post.
The Pennsylvania State Police at Frackville reported that troopers were dispatched to Oneida, East Union Township, on November 18, 2024, following a complaint of theft.
The victim told police she had seen a post on the social media platform Blue Sky claiming that someone was giving away $50,000 in lottery winnings. Enticed by the offer, the woman reached out to the poster, who then requested Apple Gift Cards worth $700, citing “legal and transfer fees” as necessary for processing the winnings.
The woman purchased the gift cards and provided the serial numbers to the scammer. Soon after, she realized she had been deceived. She was able to deactivate the gift cards in time, and a refund is currently pending.
State Police have confirmed that the investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
Authorities are reminding residents to stay vigilant against scams and to be cautious of unsolicited offers, especially those requiring payment via gift cards, a common red flag in fraudulent schemes. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Pennsylvania State Police at Frackville at (570) 874-5300.