HINGHAM, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) —Authorities in Hingham are warning people about the dangers of identity theft and dating scheme.
The target is a Sergeant with the town's police department.
Officials say the con artist is using actual photos of Sergeant Steven Dearth on several social media and dating sites looking for women and money.
The scam which began in March uses several images and personal info of Dearth taken from his professional Instagram account.
“The bigger pressing is that people are actually taking advantage of people,” he said.
Authorities reported the scam to the dating sites. While some were taken down. Dearth said the scammers are still at it.
In one week alone, four women contacted Hingham Police saying they were approached by someone claiming to be Dearth online.
“It’s also quite frankly you know embarrassing.” Dearth said. “Being the public information officer of being a subject of this scam is embarrassing…of course my wife would take offence that I am a widower. That’s upsetting as well,” he said.
According to Dearth the scammer would ask for money to be transferred in to an account for different reasons or asking for gift cards.
“He would make different excuses saying that he’s out of town and that he needs to get something for a family member and would pay them once he got back,” he said.
Police are reminding possible victims to never wire money share credit card information or personal information online.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Chris Fama (@CFamaWBZ) reports.