Watch CBS News

Fake Facebook Page Victimizing Local Police Officers

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Someone is allegedly using Facebook to exploit a local police officer's recent heart attack.

Pittsburgh Police Officer Ray Kain, 56, is a stand-up guy and is as nice as the day is long.

A 33-year veteran of the force, you've likely seen him interviewed about accident investigations here on KDKA-TV.

Kain, works out of the Zone 6 station in the West End. Last month, on the job, he suffered a heart attack. Other officers were able to revive him and he's been recovering at home from bypass surgery.

Last Friday, unbeknownst to Ray, a fake Facebook page was trying to solicit donations in his name and targeted his fellow officers by asking that money be sent to an address in Durham, N.C.

"And the next thing you know," Officer Kain said. "I'm getting numerous phone calls from friends saying, 'Are you okay? Do you need money? And I'm going no. I have no idea what you're talking about."

Kain said he only gets on Facebook every other blue moon.

"The last time I was on was to thank everybody for their prayers and well wishes," Kain said.

When Ray realized what was going on, he alerted the city's Computer Crime Unit.

"Everything that Ray's gone through - for somebody to do this - to copy his ID and reach out to his own friends," Zone 6 Commander Scott Schubert said.

Officer Kain stopped by Zone 6 to see some of those friends, but the Facebook fraud upsets him.

"I just think that's the lowest form of humanity to do that - to prey on someone like that," Kain said.

RELATED LINKS

More Local News
More Reports From Mary Robb Jackson

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.