University of Iowa Sends Out Warning About Facebook Scam

By Diane Heldt, Reporter

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By Aaron Hepker

Story Created: Jun 16, 2010 at 9:16 PM CST

Story Updated: Jun 16, 2010 at 9:16 PM CST

IOWA CITY – University of Iowa officials today sent out an e-mail warning to students about a scam on Facebook, a popular social networking site.

David Grady, UI dean of students, and Chuck Green, director of public safety, said in the message UI officials have become aware of a potential risk to students, particularly female students. The included the following information from the University of Florida Police Department:

“An unidentified subject using the known aliases of ‘Trent Brungard’ and ‘Trenton Brungard’ is contacting college women through Facebook. The subject is falsely representing himself as a talent agent for United Talent Agency in California. United Talent Agency confirmed neither ‘Trent Brungard’ nor ‘Trenton Brugnard’ was ever employed at the agency. The subject is requesting four photos of women for entry into a Maxim magazine college issue and is offering $8,500.00 to $11,000.00. Initially, the subject requests personal contact information and a physical description. He then sends four photos that the women are asked to replicate in both pose and attire for entry into the contest. Once the subject receives the four photos from the women, he extorts the women for additional photos of their breasts. He threatens to post the four photos the women already provided, as well as their personal information, on college gossip websites. The subject will continue to cyberstalk the women until he receives the photos he requested.”

UI officials said since the subject is not geographically limited, they wanted to give an alert wide distribution. If you or someone you know may have been a target of this online solicitation, report it to the appropriate local law enforcement agency. If it occurred on campus, call the UI Police at 335-5022. If it occurred off campus, please call the appropriate law enforcement agency.

UI officials advise to use extreme caution when responding to online requests. The best advice is don’t send photographs or personal information to someone you don’t know.

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