A veteran television journalist who spent more than two decades reporting on scams and consumer fraud has become the latest victim of a sophisticated financial scam, losing $72,000 to fraudsters posing as representatives of the investment platform Robinhood.
According to a report by *YourCentralValley.com*, former KSEE 24 news anchor Alex Delgado of Fresno, California, said he never imagined he would fall for the very type of fraud he had warned viewers about throughout his 22-year broadcasting career.
The scam began in March when Delgado received a text message that appeared to come from Robinhood, informing him that suspicious activity had been detected on his investment account. The message urged him to call a phone number immediately. Preparing for an upcoming trip, Delgado did not initially give the message much thought, but calling the number turned out to be a costly mistake.
Once connected, the callers identified themselves as members of Robinhood’s “fraud department” and transferred his call to what sounded like another legitimate representative. The scammers claimed that someone in Asia was attempting to access his investment account using an Android device. They convinced Delgado that, for security reasons, he needed to transfer his funds into another account while the alleged
investigation was underway.
Over the next two days, the fraudsters remained in constant contact, carefully guiding him through a series of transactions that ultimately drained $72,000 from his account. Delgado later said he tried several times to end the calls, but the scammers repeatedly persuaded him to stay on the line, creating a sense of urgency that prevented him from
thinking clearly.
By the time he realized he had been deceived, the money was already gone.
Delgado attempted to contact Robinhood through the company’s official app, but he said there was little the company could do to recover the funds. He has since filed complaints with multiple agencies, although there is currently no indication that the stolen money will be recovered.
Reflecting on the experience, Delgado admitted that the incident was particularly painful because he had covered countless stories about scams during his journalism career and considered himself well-informed about fraud. Yet, he said, he never believed he could become a victim himself.
“The reality is that this can happen to anyone,” he said, urging others to remain vigilant. In a lighthearted remark underscoring a serious message, Delgado joked that the only person people should automatically trust is their mother.
Fresno Police Detective Timothy Johnson said scammers frequently rely on psychological manipulation rather than technical expertise. Among the most common warning signs, he noted, are creating a false sense of urgency and refusing to let victims end the conversation.
According to CBS47, Johnson also warned that fraudulent emails and text messages are becoming increasingly sophisticated, often closely resembling legitimate communications from financial institutions and major companies.
Cybersecurity experts say Delgado’s case highlights an important reality: even technologically savvy individuals and professionals familiar with fraud schemes can become victims when scammers exploit fear, urgency, and emotional pressure.
Authorities advise consumers never to transfer money in response to an unexpected phone call, text message, or email claiming to be from a bank or financial institution. Instead, they recommend ending the communication immediately and contacting the institution directly using its official website or verified customer service number to confirm
whether any action is actually required.
