Chicopee police warn against social media scams using the Powerball winner’s name

Chicopee police are warning residents about an influx of social media accounts claiming to be Mavis Wanczyk, the winner of the recent $758.7 million Powerball jackpot.“We are well aware of many fake accounts being created on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram stating they are Mavis Wanczyk and that following and answering private messages will result in you getting money,” Public Information Officer Michael Wilk posted on the department’s Facebook page Monday.

https://www.facebook.com/ChicopeePoliceDepartment/photos/a.263040113882123.1073741829.261262667393201/726465067539623/?type=3&theater

The department has since called out multiple accounts impersonating the 53-year-old Chicopee woman and are encouraging people who see other scams to report them.

https://twitter.com/ChicopeeMa_PD/status/902637438069301249

https://twitter.com/ChicopeeMa_PD/status/902684206928715776

Wilk explained in a Facebook post on Tuesday that these “bait accounts” — some of which have thousands of followers — promise money from the winnings if people provide personal and bank information. He recommended reporting fake accounts to the social media platform on which they are found.

Chicopee patrol officers have also been keeping a closer watch on Wanczyk’s house as a precaution, according to The Boston Herald.