Edmonds police investigate scams involving fake Microsoft and FTC agents

EDMONDS, Wash. — The Edmonds Police Department (EPD) is investigating a “sophisticated scam” in which fraudsters impersonate representatives from Microsoft and the Federal Trade Commission to take large sums of cash from victims.

According to police, the scammers contact victims electronically with false claims that their accounts are involved in illegal activity and direct them to hand over cash to individuals in public places.

Police say the scammers initiate contact through emails or computer pop-up notifications warning victims that their bank accounts and identities have been compromised. The notifications claim the information is tied to illegal activities such as child pornography, gun trafficking, and dark web operations. The messages provide a telephone number for victims to call to resolve the issue.

When victims call the number, individuals initially claim to be from Microsoft. Callers transfer victims through multiple representatives before ending with someone…