BRANFORD — A 31-year-old man from Queens, New York, was arrested by Branford police on Friday for his involvement in a texting scam that starts with a simple “Hello.”
According to police, the man, identified as He, faces multiple charges, including first-degree larceny, conspiracy to commit first-degree larceny, first-degree telephone fraud, and conspiracy to commit first-degree telephone fraud. He is currently being held on a $200,000 bond, as noted in a Branford Police Department Facebook post.
The arrest is part of an ongoing investigation, with authorities continuing their efforts to identify others involved in the scheme.
Police have described the scam as beginning with an innocuous text message reading “Hello.” This message often leads to a deceptive exchange where scammers build fake relationships with victims by posing as friends, romantic interests, or business partners.
Once trust is established, the scammer typically asks for financial assistance, often framing it as an investment opportunity or a favor. The scam might escalate to money transfers or sharing personal information. In some instances, couriers are dispatched to collect cash directly from victims.
Branford police advise residents to remain cautious if they receive unsolicited messages from unknown numbers. They stress the importance of avoiding any engagement, particularly when it involves sending money, sharing sensitive information, or agreeing to meet with strangers.
“We are committed to protecting our community from these malicious scams, but we need your help,” the police warned. “Stay alert, stay safe, and spread the word to prevent further victims from falling prey to these criminals.”