Troy Man Threatened By 'Hired Assassin' In Social Media Scam: Police

TROY, MI — A Troy man told officers he was threatened by a hired assassin in a social media scam, police said.

On Saturday, the man told police he was contacted on Instagram by an unknown person, who offered to sell his artwork for $2,000 and give him back $500 of the profits, police said.

The scammer sent him three digital checks totaling $2,700 and then demanded to be reimbursed for the overpayment before the checks cleared, police said.

When the man blocked the scammer's number, he was immediately contacted by another number who claimed to be an assassin that was hired to hurt him if he did not comply and send money, police said.

The second number also sent over graphic photos, which caused the man to be concerned about the situation, police said.

The man then sent over multiple payments to the scammer using Cash App and Venmo, police said. Officials did not say how much money he sent over.

Officials did not identify a possible suspect and did not say whether any arrests would be made in connection to the scam.