Authorities in Trumbull and Mahoning counties are warning residents about sophisticated internet scams involving fraudulent PayPal emails, resulting in significant financial losses.

In Trumbull County, a woman lost $23,000 after receiving an email that appeared to be from PayPal, according to a Monday news release from the Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office. The email claimed she owed $300. When she called the number provided, she spoke with a man identifying himself as Alex Rodger, who falsely claimed to be a CIA agent. He convinced her she was under investigation for money laundering and instructed her to send $23,000 in cash for "verification purposes." The victim complied, withdrawing the money and overnighting it to an address in Vienna, Virginia.

Separately, a Boardman man lost $20,000 in a scam, Boardman Township police reported. The victim received an email on March 19 claiming he owed $981.84. After calling the number provided, he was told $40,000 had been mistakenly deposited into his credit union account. He was then instructed to withdraw $20,000 and deliver it in a box to a bridal shop parking lot on Boardman Canfield Road.

The victim met a man described as between 5-foot-9 and 5-foot-10, around 30 years old, with black hair and a light beard, wearing a dark blue sweatshirt and jeans. The man took the box and fled in a gray Honda SUV. The victim later discovered the $40,000 was transferred from his savings account, not deposited by PayPal.

Authorities are urging residents to be cautious and to never send cash, banking or credit card information, or any personal information to unknown individuals. They advise residents to verify sender email addresses, access PayPal directly through the official website or app, be wary of urgent requests, and avoid providing personal information to unsolicited contacts.