Sheriff: Over $100K lost to what he calls 'phone scams' | Crime

SCOTT COUNTY, MO (KFVS) - Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter says there is an increasing number of what he calls "phone scams" targeting elderly residents in the county.

Walter says his department has worked two cases just this week resulting in a loss of over $100,000. He says the so-called scams have been tracked to Jamaica and Canada.

One victim told police that she had been receiving calls for over a year from a man telling her she has won the a million dollar lottery prize and a car.

Sheriff Walter says the victim was also told their home was being watched and they were being followed.

The sheriff also says the victims are being contacted by people posing as FBI agents telling them they are dealing with dangerous people and need to cooperate.

In one of the cases, the sheriff says the victim changed their phone number to stop the calls. Then, the suspects reportedly had a business deliver a pizza to the victim's home. The supects reportedly had the delivery person hand over their phone to the victim, where the suspect was then told there was no way they could hide.

Another person received a call from someone claiming to be his or her grandson. The "grandson" told the victim they needed $200,000 send to another county because they had been arrested.

Sheriff Walter says the victim was reportedly given a number to a reported 'U.S. Embassy" and a "government agent" said they would assist the victim in wiring the money to get the "grandson" out of jail.

The sheriff says the victim trying to send the money but a store clerk prevented the transaction and called authorities.

Walter strongly advises not to send money or give personal information to callers. Your money most likely will not be recovered.

If you receive such a call, contact the Scott County Sheriff's Office.

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