Grandma Scam

DATE & TIME: 07-09-2018 @ 0900

LOCATION: Unincorporated Beatrice

OFFENSE: Grandma Scam

CASE #: 2018-3447

A resident of unincorporated Beatrice was called the morning of July 9, 2018 from an unknown phone number and was told the caller was her grandson and he needed help. The suspect told her he had been at a wedding in Iowa, had three drinks, and was arrested for reckless endangerment. She was also told there was some concomitant information about a pregnant woman in the hospital. She was told to call 402-802-9928 and speak to a lawyer James Johnson regarding case number E 11 26 24.

The victim, a senior citizen, was suspicious of the phone call from the start, so she asked her “grandson” the name of his brother. The suspect then immediately hung up. She called her grandson who stated he was at work and then called her son in DeWitt, who came to her house, then to the sheriff’s office to notify Gage County Sheriff’s Office investigators. When the suspect’s phone number above was called by an investigator, the person answering the phone denied any knowledge of the incident, possibly indicating the number provided was a spoofed or computer software fabricated number. 

The victim did not lose any money and did not provide any personal, financial, or confidential information. The investigator advised her to monitor her mail in the future for possible identity theft problems.

The Gage County Sheriff’s Office is concerned about the possibility of theft by deception, fraud, and identity theft of residents. Some warning signs of scams are unsolicited phone calls, emergency situations, urging privacy or secrecy, or wanting payment by unorthodox means, such as using gift cards for payment. 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