This cybersecurity analysis reveals a coordinated scam campaign involving three connected phone numbers and one payday loan company operating across multiple states. The campaign centers around phone numbers 505-498-8444, 480-965-0257, and 682-474-9089, which are linked through same campaign relationships with 0.70 confidence levels. These numbers span New Mexico (505), Arizona (480), and Texas (682) area codes, suggesting a multi-state operation targeting consumers across the Southwest region.
The Money Company, a payday loan business with 2 CFPB complaints, has been reported together with both phone numbers 505-498-8444 and 682-474-9089, though with lower confidence levels of 0.35. This connection suggests the scammers may be impersonating legitimate financial services or using payday loan themes as part of their fraud scheme. The geographic distribution indicates deliberate targeting of consumers in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas markets.
Community reports reveal the campaign's primary tactics involve fake lottery winner notifications and marketplace purchase scams. Multiple consumers reported receiving messages claiming to be from "Julia Gomez and Fernando Cervantes Jr.," purported Powerball winners from Kentucky offering prize money. Additionally, scammers are impersonating buyers on Facebook Marketplace, with at least one report of a fraudulent "business profile" under the name "Rosalina Denver" attempting to extract payment information through Venmo requests. While formal FTC complaints for these specific numbers remain at zero, the coordinated nature and multiple community reports indicate active fraud operations.
To protect yourself from this campaign, verify any lottery or prize notifications by contacting official lottery organizations directly using phone numbers from their official websites, not contact information provided in suspicious messages. Never provide personal financial information or payment details to unsolicited callers or message senders. If you receive calls from 505-498-8444, 480-965-0257, 682-474-9089, or messages claiming lottery winnings from Kentucky winners, hang up immediately and do not click any links. Report these incidents to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov or file complaints with the FCC for unwanted calls and texts. Before engaging with unknown numbers or companies, check their legitimacy through official consumer protection databases and verify business licenses through state regulatory agencies.
This campaign presents a moderate threat level due to its coordinated multi-state operations and diverse fraud tactics targeting both prize scam and marketplace transaction victims. Consumers should remain vigilant for lottery scam messages and suspicious marketplace buyer communications. Continued monitoring and reporting of these connected entities will help track the campaign's evolution and protect additional consumers from financial fraud.