The history books will one day tell that in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Americans ordered to shelter at home deployed the widespread use of social media and all available digital platforms to stay connected with family, friends, carry on their businesses, offer and provide essential services to the public, and operate the various governments at all levels. Although many people previously considered technology to be an infringement on their privacy, those views were quickly muffled by the new social distancing reality created by the pandemic. For most, family, friends and life in general took on a greater and more special meaning than ever before when all the distractions of life were minimized by the sheltering at home orders.

The crisis brought out the best in people. Neighbors watched out for neighbors, checking on them and delivering food to them. Businesses retooled their plants to manufacture much needed personal protective equipment (PPE) and other essential supplies. People got closer to their relatives and thousands of medical professionals traveled cross country to help their colleagues in hospitals in New York City and the greater metropolitan area. But just as the crisis brought out the best in people’s character, unfortunately it also presented opportunities for those unscrupulous individuals in our society to use the confusion, panic and fear as a smokescreen to prey upon and scam the public. Recent arrests concerning these varied and extensive criminal endeavors in the cyber related realm will be addressed in this article.

Tricks, Threats, Lures and Smokescreens