Attempted Theft By Deception (Grandma Scam)

DATE & TIME: 03-27-2018 @ 1044

LOCATION: Beatrice, Nebraska      

OFFENSE: Attempted Theft By Deception (Grandma Scam)

CASE #: 2018-1303

A Beatrice resident called the Gage County Sheriff’s Office and informed an investigator her mother had received a telephone call from someone asking for the name of her oldest grandson. She gave them her grandson’s name and states the male caller said his name was “Jason Moore”, but spoke with a Hispanic accent. She states her mother was told her grandson had been in a bar fight and had stitches and bandages on his face, so when she talked to him, he could only mumble. She was told her "grandson" needed $3,000.00 bail to get out of jail in the Dominican Republic. Eventually, she was told to send $975.00 via Western Union to "Christian Cruz" in the Dominican Republic. No money was sent and no confidential or banking information was revealed to the suspects.

The Beatrice Police Department was advised of the report to the sheriff’s office for inclusion in their records.

Anyone who receives a suspicious telephone call, letter, e-mail, or personal contact should not provide any personal, financial, or confidential information to the other person. If you do receive a request or demand for money, you should seek the advice of a family member or trusted financial representative, such as a banker. The incident should be reported to the 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