Woman smells a scam with fake nude photos threat

Wednesday, April 1

Caught in the matrix

4:59 p.m., 1200 block of 32nd Street

Harassment: A woman told an officer an unknown person has been sending her text messages extorting her with the threat of releasing nude photos of her, which the subject provided. She advised the images were edited to place her face on the nude bodies.

Although she deleted the messages that included the images, the complainant did have a many other messages from the subject, but none of a threatening manner. She did admit to giving the subject bank information, which resulted in a $30 withdrawal from her husband’s account, that money already refunded by her financial institution.

The subject was someone she said she met on social media more than a year ago, realizing only recently she had been scammed because she thought she was communicating with actor Keanu Reeves. The phone number includes the country code of Nigeria. Why she would think a wealthy, famous actor would need her bank account information, or why she would comply with such a request, was not included in the incident report.

Back to the alleged nude images, she said the threats about releasing the photos began three days earlier. The officer reported advising the woman to not give any personal information to a stranger online — even if it really is a famous actor. She was provided with a link to upload any future communications from the subject. 

Friday, April 3

I scream, you scream …

4:37 p.m., 1400 block of Main Street

Lewd and lascivious act: A woman working at an ice cream shop reported a man apparently becoming overly excited about the milkshake she was making for him. The complainant stated that while she was scooping the ice cream, she looked toward the male subject and observed he had exposed himself, describing him as engaging in a bizarre form of self-gratification. 

Maintaining her composure, she said she looked away and avoided making eye contact while completing the order. She handed him the beverage and he left — no longer exposing himself — without further incident. She told officers the man made no comments nor threats toward her, apparently only enthusiastic about the frosty beverage he was soon to enjoy.

The shop owner, who was not on the scene at the time, agreed to provide security photos and video of the incident. The footage revealed a man, possibly in his 60s, near the cash register speaking with the complainant. When she walked away, he unzipped his pants, exposing himself before placing “it” on the counter in a back and forth motion while his shake was being made. 

Based on the name of the credit card that was used, officers have a possible identification of the subject, who had mentioned during conversation with the complainant that he was from Toronto, Canada. The complainant said she did not wish to press charges, but she was provided with a victim’s brochure and the procedure for trespassing was explained should he return.

Saturday, April 4

Beach blanket ‘boom-boom’

5:07 p.m., 2800 block of Bayshore Road

Lewd and lascivious act: In yet another incident of perversion, a woman told responding officers that she was new to the area and was sitting on the beach when her peaceful communing with the bay was disrupted by two people “on top of each other doing the boom-boom,” according to the incident report.

When asked if she witnessed any indecent exposure, she said she had not. She explained the pair were beneath a tree on the beach, positioned in such a manner that rendered “doing the boom-boom” a logical conclusion.

An officer spoke to the subjects, who remained on the scene, who denied engaging in any boom-boom-like activity, the man saying the couple were merely making out, perhaps romantically overcome by the peaceful serenity of the Sarasota Bay shoreline. The pair then left the area without incident.