07 May Southern California Couple Lost $160K In A Down Payment Scam
This week in cybersecurity from the editors at Cybercrime Magazine
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Sausalito, Calif. – May 7, 2024
Two years ago, Pat and Marisa Lawlor looked at 50 homes for sale.
The market was tight and interest rates were low. They were outbid three times. So, the Lawlors were relieved when they finally snagged a house in West Hills.
“It was very difficult, it was challenging, it was a seller’s market and we were a buyer, not much inventory to choose from,” Pat Lawlor told NBC 4 Los Angeles earlier this year.
The escrow process went without a hitch, until the very end.
“It’s like a shock. Like psychologically your brain is protecting yourself from the trauma of what’s going on right there,” said Lawlor.
Lawlor received wire instructions for the down payment in an email that appeared to be from the escrow agent. So he wired the money — $160,000. Then a few days later, he received another email from his escrow agent.
“He said, ‘We’re clear to close, we’re all set here, just need your down payment,’” said Lawlor, who recently came on the Cybercrime Magazine Podcast to tell us about his ordeal.
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