By Police Report Team
On March 28, 2025, and April 3, 2025, detectives with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) launched investigations into two separate PayPal email scams that collectively defrauded victims of $30,000. Through diligent investigative efforts, a suspect named Wilkens Eugene was identified in connection with both cases.
Eugene was arrested and charged with several offenses, including Occupied Burglary, Grand Theft over $10,000, Scheme to Defraud, and Computer Crime to Defraud Property. PBSO detectives are continuing their investigation into Eugene’s activities related to the scams.
Victims were tricked into responding to fraudulent PayPal emails, leading to significant financial loss. The scammer posed as a legitimate PayPal representative, requesting sensitive information or directing victims to counterfeit websites, where they unknowingly provided their financial details.
TIPS TO AVOID BECOMING A VICTIM OF PAYPAL SCAM:
- Watch for Phishing: Only trust emails from “@paypal.com” and be cautious of requests for personal information or suspicious links.
- Secure Your Account: Use a strong, unique password to prevent unauthorized access.
- Verify Emails: Check your PayPal account directly for alerts instead of clicking on links in emails.
- Monitor Transactions: Regularly check your account activity and report any unauthorized transactions immediately.
- Use Secure Connections: Always use a private connection for financial transactions and avoid public Wi-Fi.
- Check Invoices Carefully: Always verify invoice details with the sender before making payments.
- Utilize PayPal Security: Take advantage of PayPal’s security tools like Purchase Protection for added safety.
For a copy of the probable cause affidavit, please reach out to the Palm Beach County Clerk’s Office.
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