Hanover Resident Responded to a Fake Microsoft Alert. Nearly $50,000 Was Lost — Then a Milwaukee Man Was Extradited

A Hanover County, Virginia, resident lost nearly $50,000 after responding to a computer warning that appeared to come from Microsoft and ultimately allowing a stranger to remotely access the device.

Hanover County Sheriff’s Office investigators identified 24-year-old Christopher Louis Wilson of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as the suspect in a case that began in March and eventually led authorities across state lines.

Investigators worked with the victim and financial institutions as they traced the financial and electronic evidence connected to the loss. Investigators eventually developed Wilson as a suspect and obtained search and arrest warrants.

Wilson was extradited from Wisconsin on Sept. 30. Hanover General District Court records now show that he faces felony charges of obtaining money by false pretenses and computer fraud involving alleged larceny or embezzlement of at least $1,000.

The Scam Began With a Fake Microsoft Pop-Up

The victim reported the fraud on March 13 after a warning…