Two instances of Terroristic Threats Via Computer were reported to the Hall County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) Tuesday. And they were similar in nature. The sheriff’s office is also investigating a report that someone tried to scam an elderly woman out of a “large amount” of money.
One of the terroristic threats cases was reported about noon from the 3700 block of River North Drive in Gainesville.
“A woman met with deputies to report she had received threatening phone calls, text messages and a video demanding money because a family member owed money for escort services,” spokeswoman B.J. Williams said. “The unknown party threatened to harm the family member if the money was not paid. She provided the phone number the suspect used.”
In the second case, “a man met with deputies to report he had received text messages from an unknown number where someone threatened to kidnap and harm his daughter,” Williams said. He did not respond to the messages and gave that number to deputies.
That occurred late in the afternoon in the 5900 block of River Oaks Drive in Flowery Branch.
The account fraud attempt was reported by a man who said it involved his elderly mother and was thwarted by her bank. He said her computer had been hacked and the scammers instructed her to go to her bank and withdraw a large amount of money, but the bank realized something was amiss and stopped her.
“The complainant needed (a police) report to get a new driver’s license number for the mom, since the scammers obtained her personal information,” Williams said.