Scared to show her face--an 18-year-old college student is lashing out at the man charged with using Facebook to steal more than $1,000 from her bank account.
"Really mean to try and take advantage of people like that especially in front of the holidays."
Darby Borough Police say in early December--Malik McDowell contacted the teen on the popular social media website.
Posing as a TD Bank employee named "Rob, " authorities say he promised to give her $800 for a money transfer promotion.
The catch--the teen had to meet the 29-year-old man at a Darby convenience store and hand over her debit card and pin number.
"If someone approaches you with something that's too good to be true, it is too good. Nobody in this world today is giving away $800 free."
The college student learned that lesson the hard way.
After getting her card back from McDowell the next day she checked her account.
"When I checked my account it was like negative $1000 some dollars, " exclaimed the victim. "I really wasn't thinking it was a scam. I was just thinking about the holidays coming up and I had a bill for my tuition."
That college tuition paid off when the teen decided to teach the suspected cyber crook a lesson.
She set up a new Facebook page to lure McDowell.
Authorities say he took the bait and scheduled a meeting at the 7-11 on Main St.
This time posing as "Kev."
But instead of meeting an easy mark—he was met by Darby Police and handcuffs.
"He just made it real easy writing me again on Facebook. He was being real greedy and he got caught."
"She really should be a detective," smiled Chief Smythe. "She should go to the police academy and we would definitely hire her."
McDowell is now behind bars on $50,000 bail.
Police say he had three other debit cards and checks that didn't belong to him.
They believe McDowell may be part of a larger crime ring that's targeted others in the Philadelphia area.
If you or anyone you know has been a victim call Darby Borough Police at (610) 586-1100.
Sunday, June 16 2013 10:19 AM EDT2013-06-16 14:19:08 GMT
"We're glad to help. The best thing we did was build this thing (Margaritaville) in Atlantic City," Jimmy Buffet took the stage with those words, then started belting out his famous tunes, christening
Jimmy Buffet performed to thousands of people kick starting the summer beach season. His new Margaritaville is part of one resorts plan to appeal to more people.
Saturday, June 15 2013 10:22 AM EDT2013-06-15 14:22:47 GMT
Marching from Love Park to Governor Corbett's Center City office--students, teachers, parents and members of the faith based community chanted the words they held up on one of their signs: "SOS: Save Our
Philadelphia City Schools is facing a $300 million dollar deficit. Marchers took their message to Governor Corbett's office, hoping the district will be fully funded
Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:14 PM EDT2013-06-20 02:14:32 GMT
At approximately 2:45pm Wednesday afternoon, a bank robbery occurred at the National Penn Bank on E. High Street in Pottstown, PA. Police have captured three of the fours suspects so far.
At approximately 2:45pm Wednesday afternoon, a bank robbery occurred at the National Penn Bank on E. High Street in Pottstown, PA. Police have captured three of the fours suspects so far.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:19 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:19:58 GMT
Breaking news in North Philadelphia on the 2300 block of North Tenth Street, where three people, including a pregnant woman, were shot. This happened just before four this afternoon.
Breaking news in North Philadelphia on the 2300 block of North Tenth Street, where three people, including a pregnant woman, were shot. This happened just before four this afternoon.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:11 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:11:57 GMT
If you hated going to traffic court in Philadelphia, you won't have to anymore! Today, Governor Tom Corbett signed a bill abolishing traffic court,effective immediately.
If you hated going to traffic court in Philadelphia, you won't have to anymore! Today, Governor Tom Corbett signed a bill abolishing traffic court,effective immediately.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:57 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:57:28 GMT
A main line mascot gets the boot. At issue: cultural sensitivity.It's an issue that's been playing out on athletic fields all over America: re-thinking team names and the mascots that go with them.
A main line mascot gets the boot. At issue: cultural sensitivity.It's an issue that's been playing out on athletic fields all over America: re-thinking team names and the mascots that go with them.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:47 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:47:02 GMT
City administration officials came before a City Council committee with orders not to talk about the building collapse, but that didn't stop council members from raising questions.
City administration officials came before a City Council committee with orders not to talk about the building collapse, but that didn't stop council members from raising questions.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:06 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:06:59 GMT
Six of the people accused in one of the largest public corruption cases in our area's history plead guilty today in court. 18 people total are accused of bilking the Bensalem school district.
Six of the people accused in one of the largest public corruption cases in our area's history plead guilty today in court. 18 people total are accused of bilking the Bensalem school district.
Malik McDowell, 29, allegedly was involved in a scam that used the social networking website Facebook. (Darby Borough Police Department)
