A 19-year-old Keaau man is in police custody while detectives investigate an alleged Internet scam that may have additional victims.
A 19-year-old Keaau man is in police custody while detectives investigate an alleged Internet scam that may have additional victims.
The man’s arrest stems from four people on the mainland reporting to Big Island police that they had responded to a posting on Craig’s List by someone claiming to be selling tickets to the sold-out Coachella Music Festival this weekend in Indio, Calif., according to the Hawaii Police Department. The seller reportedly arranged for the victims to wire him money before he’d send them festival passes and wristbands via Federal Express.
According to police, the victims sent the money but never received the passes or wristbands.
The Keaau man was arrested Tuesday following a joint sting operation between the department and an Office of Consumer Protection investigator, according to police. As part of the sting, the investigator posed as a buyer who wanted three sets of passes and wristbands.
When the man reportedly went to a Hilo Western Union office to claim $900 sent for the passes, he was arrested on suspicion of attempted theft and use of a computer in the commission of a separate crime.
West Hawaii Today is not identifying the man because he had not been charged with a crime as of press time Wednesday. He remains held at the Hilo police cellblock.
Any possible victims should contact Detective Derek Morimoto at 961-2380 or by email at dmorimoto@co.hawaii.hi.us. Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 329-8181 in Kona or 961-8300 in Hilo. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential