A man lost $15,000 in a computer scam that began when he opened an email he believed was from a friend, according to the Hopewell Township Police Department.
The incident began in August when the victim opened the email and his computer began beeping. A pop-up message appeared on the screen, directing him to call a telephone number for computer assistance.
The victim called the number and spoke with a man who claimed to represent the company that made his web browser, police said.
The caller told the victim that his bank account may have been compromised and instructed him to withdraw money from the account and deposit it into a cryptocurrency account.
When the cryptocurrency transaction failed, the victim was instructed to meet a courier at a business in Pennington and turn over the cash.
The victim followed the instructions and met the courier, handing over $15,000.
The fraud and theft were reported to Hopewell Township police on Sept. 18. The incident remains under investigation.
