HAINES CITY, Fla. – A Haines City couple found themselves in a financial nightmare after cybercriminals intercepted the money they were sending for a down payment on their new home.
Matthew Brock and his wife were supposed to close on a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house last month, but their day of celebration quickly turned into one of sorrow.
“It was a rough day, “Matthew Brock told News 6. “Just sorrow and depression and sadness, like full sadness.”
According to a police report, cybercriminals impersonated the couple’s title company by altering just one letter in the email address.
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Instead of communicating with their legitimate contact, the Brocks unknowingly interacted with the criminals.
“I don’t think you’re really looking for one consonant to be left out of an email either,” Matthew Brock said.
The criminals hijacked the email containing the wiring instructions, changing the bank, routing number, and account number.
They also removed the wire fraud prevention notice, which urged recipients to verify wire instructions.
As a result, more than $38,000 was lost.
Brock says his wife was devastated.
“I’ve known her for almost 20 years now, and I don’t think I’ve ever, ever seen her in that type of sadness. It was real,” he said.
The U.S. Secret Service refers to this type of fraud as a business email compromise (BEC).
Special Agent in Charge Caroline O’Brien-Buster from the Orlando Field Office explained that BECs are common, with daily reports of such incidents.
She advised always verifying email addresses and independently confirming wiring instructions with the title company.
“You always have to call your title company and ensure that the wiring instructions that you received are actually the wiring instructions.”
But she says don’t call the number on the email, find it independently and verify the bank, routing number and account number.
Brock acted quickly by contacting the bank where the money was sent, managing to freeze the account.
However, only $5,000 was recovered with the help of the Secret Service.
Despite the setback, the Brocks were able to purchase their home with the support of family, friends, and a GoFundMe campaign.
Now, Brock is determined to raise awareness about wire fraud.
“Just stay vigilant. Have your eyes always open. And know that, yes, it can happen to you,” he warned.
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