Attempted Theft By Deception / Gift Cards

DATE & TIME: 10-31-2017

LOCATION: Pickrell, Nebraska and Wal-Mart in Beatrice

OFFENSE: Attempted Theft By Deception

CASE #: 2017-6006

A female called an investigator with the Gage County Sheriff’s Office to report her parents, who are Pickrell residents, received a telephone call on 10-31-2017 from someone stating he was their grandson.  The person calling was not their grandson, however he continued with the deception, telling them he was a passenger in a car that was stopped by the police and he needed $4,000.00 in bail.  Believing it was her grandson, the victim went to the Wal-Mart in Beatrice and purchased $4,000.00 worth of gift cards and provided the numbers to the suspect.

Later that afternoon they were again contacted by the suspect, who stated he needed an additional $4,000.00 and to repeat the process of going to Wal-Mart and purchasing gift cards.  At some point during this process, the daughter and the credit card company became aware of this and prevented the victims from sending the additional money.  According to the daughter and the victim, the credit card company is going to credit the victim the $4,000.00 that was already sent.

Investigators with the Beatrice Police Department were notified of the incident, due to the transaction occurring within the Beatrice city limits.

This type of scam is very common and is referred to as the “Grandma/Grandpa” scam, where elderly residents receive a telephone call from someone, who states something like, “Grandma?” and the victim responds with the name of who they think it is.  The suspect then has the grandchild’s name and proceeds with a scam regarding being arrested while being a passenger in a car, or some similar story.  They then ask for bond or bail money, even providing an additional person who may pose as a police officer or lawyer, and who provides information regarding how to send the money or funds.

The Gage County Sheriff’s Office urges citizens to use caution and discretion when dealing with people requesting or demanding money.  Particular warning signs are when they ask for the money in a method outside of normal business or government practices, such as purchasing gift cards, sending funds to a third party, or demanding immediate payment.  Anyone who receives such calls can call their local police department or the Gage County Sheriff’s Office and ask to speak with an investigator to determine if their situation is an attempted fraud.

Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson #903

Investigator T. Hanson #90310