Two people from Texas allegedly posing as employees of McAfee Protection were arrested in Surry on conspiracy charges, police said Saturday.
Police arrested Kozaa Burns, 36, and Laterrion Taylor, 38, from towns not specified in Texas, after they allegedly hacked into a computer system and told their victims the company had accidentally refunded them $30,000, according to Lt. Brian Archer of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office.
Archer said it was a sophisticated fraud scheme. Officers from the sheriff’s office, Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and Homeland Security arrested the pair when they arranged a meeting to exchange the money.
The victims had withdrawn the funds from their bank but police intervened before it was handed over to Burns and Taylor.
Burns and Taylor were charged with criminal conspiracy and criminal attempt and were taken to Hancock County Jail.
Police said this should serve as a reminder of how important cybersecurity and vigilance about unsolicited communications are. The public should report any suspicious activities to police, Archer said.