SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO’S MAY FRAUD ALERT: THAT JOB OFFER TEXT IS PROBABLY A SCAM
It’s reported Floridians lost more than 9 million dollars to job scams in the last year with Florida ranking second in the nation as scams grow alongside rising unemployment. The (fake) recruiters claim to be with legit companies you might know and say they’re hiring for jobs you can do from home like “online assessor” […]
SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO’S APRIL 2026 FRAUD ALERT: PAUSE BEFORE YOU SCAN, BEWARE OF QUISHING
WHAT IS QUISHING? Quishing or QR Code Phishing, is where scammers use fraudulent QR codes to trick victims to fraudulent websites designed to steal sensitive information. QR codes are very common, and their destination URL is hidden until after the code is scanned. Scammers put these codes in high-traffic or high-trust environments to exploit everyday […]
SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO’S MARCH 2026 FRAUD ALERT: FAKE LAW ENFORCEMENT CALLS
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind residents of a phone scam going around where scammers impersonate law enforcement personnel. These scammers will identify themselves as law enforcement and may claim the following: you have an active warrant, missed jury duty, or are involved in a crime. If you receive a call like this, […]
SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO’S FEBRUARY FRAUD ALERT: BEWARE OF “SWEETHEART SCAMS”
February is known as the month of love — but it’s also a peak time for romance scams. Scammers create fake profiles on dating apps and social media to build trust quickly. Once they gain someone’s confidence, they ask for money. The request often involves an emergency, travel costs, medical bills, or even a “can’t-miss” […]
SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO’S JANUARY 2026 FRAUD ALERT: TAKE A BITE OUT OF THE BITCOIN SCAM
The FBI reports cryptocurrency investment fraud is one of the most prevalent and damaging fraud schemes today. Scammers, through means of manipulation, convince us to deposit more and more money into financial “investments” using cryptocurrency. In truth, these investments are fake; all victim money is under the control of—and ultimately stolen by—criminal actors, usually overseas.   […]
SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO’S DECEMBER 2025 FRAUD ALERT: TIS THE SEASON FOR HOLIDAY FRAUDS & SCAMS
Stay safe by shopping on trusted sites, being wary of “too good to be true” deals and verify donation requests, while also protecting your physical mail and being cautious of phishing links and urgent requests. Online Shopping & Accounts · Shop Securely: Stick to trusted retailers, look for “https://” in URLs, and avoid public Wi-Fi […]
SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO’S NOVEMBER 2025 FRAUD ALERT: DON’T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU HEAR
Imagine receiving a call and hearing the voice of a friend or family member. They start asking for personal information or they need help and money. This is a weird request, but you hear their voice, so you comply… Now you’ve become a victim of a voice scam. Scammers rely on you trusting the recognized […]
July 2025: Fraud Alert: Texas Floods Create A Flood of SCAMS
The devastating damage and loss created by the flooding in Texas and around the nation is practically inconceivable. The loss of life…especially young lives…is staggering and horrific beyond description. While following news coverage of the Texas Hill Country, we have seen communities, neighbors and agencies roll up their sleeves and help in any way possible. […]
September 2025 Fraud Alert: Question Everything You See Online
Criminals, many who live on the other side of our planet, are coming for us. Artificial intelligence (AI) is having a significant impact and basically upping the scam or con game for these people. So, how do we sift through the fake madness when celebrity and business impersonation scams are bigger than ever? Right now, […]
2025 Fraud Alert: Don’t “Fall” For Fraud
As October brings seasonal activities and preparations for the holidays, scammers and fraudsters ramp up their efforts to take advantage of unsuspecting residents. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind everyone to stay alert and protect themselves from common scams that often spike this time of year. Watch Out for These Scams: Phishing and […]