Woman almost conned out of money by Facebook friend

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — When a Facebook friend named Linda sent Faye Hall a message Saturday, it seemed like a typical conversation.

Linda told Hall that she was happy because she won a lottery through Facebook and the Obama administration to help those in need.

Linda added, “I saw your name on the federal government list, so you too are one of the lucky ones they chose.”

Linda then introduced Hall to a supposed federal agent through Facebook.

He came back and said, “Oh yes. Your name is on the list. You won $90,000.”

However, he told Hall she had to wire a $1,000 filing fee to Maryland to get it.

The agent said, “UPS will ship it to you as soon as you make the payment through Western Union.”

“I’m thinking ‘scam,’” Hall said, but the agent kept the pressure on.

Eventually, the agent asked Hall, “How much can you afford?”

That’s when Hall contacted Linda’s granddaughter, who is also a Facebook friend, and got some shocking news.

“I found out Linda has been deceased since April,” Hall said. “So these people went into Facebook and stole this woman’s identity.”

So who has Hall been talking to online?

She believes it was coordinated by con artists trying to steal from her.

The Charlotte Better Business Bureau said it has never heard of this before, but “it makes sense that they are ‘phishing’ for victims on Facebook. It’s the largest ‘pond’ in the world.”

Hall reported her experience to Facebook. Experts said any deal that requires you to wire money is a major red flag.

WSOC