Post Reports
The ‘FBI’ called. Then she got scammed.
Dec 12, 2024
Michelle Singletary, a personal finance columnist for The Washington Post, teams up with Judith Boivin, a scam victim who lost her life savings. They delve into the painful details of a sophisticated government impersonation scam that exploited trust and manipulated emotions. Judith shares her shocking experience of believing she was involved in a federal investigation and the heartbreak that followed her financial betrayal. The discussion highlights the importance of awareness, emotional impact on decisions, and the need for victims to share their stories to prevent future scams.
38:24
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Quick takeaways
- Judith Boivin's harrowing experience underscores the manipulative tactics scammers employ, exploiting trust in authority figures to commit fraud.
- The case highlights systemic failures in law enforcement and financial institutions, emphasizing the need for better communication and protective measures against scams.
Deep dives
Judith's Identity Theft Scam Experience
Judith Boabin, an 80-year-old resident of Rockville, Maryland, became the victim of an elaborate identity theft scam that initially involved a supposed police officer and an FBI agent. After receiving a phone call claiming she was linked to a drug cartel using her social security number, she was manipulated into believing she could help authorities by cooperating as an asset. The fake FBI agent convinced her that moving her money to a government-protected account was necessary to ensure her safety while the investigation unfolded. This led to Judith transferring her entire life savings, nearly $600,000, to scammers who exploited her trust and authority figures.
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