Attempted Theft By Deception

DATE & TIME: 07-17-2019 @ 1500

LOCATION: Rural Beatrice 

OFFENSE: Attempted Theft By Deception

CASE #: 2019-3770

A businessman from rural Beatrice contacted a Gage County Sheriff’s Office to report a scam/suspicious text messages he had received from 408-692-6087. The victim reported that a “Reverend Dean” had sent text messages to his business asking him to do some installation work at an address in Beatrice.  Payment was discussed, but not completed, however the businessman went to the address to discover it was another business in Beatrice. They had not ordered the installation work be done. The suspect contacted the businessman again and sent him to another address, however this time the address was a neighbor and he was able to determine the situation was part of a scam, with the suspect attempting to obtain personal, confidential, and financial information from the victim, however in both attempts he was unsuccessful and the business did not lose any money.

The Gage County Sheriff’s Office urges residents to use caution when dealing with unknown persons, whether via phone/text, e-mail/online, through the mail, or in person. You should never give out personal, financial, or confidential information to unknown persons not connected to a legitimate business through traditional business methods. If you have questions about a situation, speak with a family member or friend, seek the advice of a financial advisor such as a banker or accountant, or contact your local police department or call the Gage County Sheriff’s Office and ask to speak with an investigator.

Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson #903

Investigator T. Hanson #90310