Injured Grandchild Scam

DATE & TIME: 06-25-2018 @ 1230

LOCATION: Rural Clatonia

OFFENSE: Injured Grandchild Scam

CASE #: 2018-3145

A resident of rural Clatonia notified a Gage County Sheriff’s Office investigator about a scam phone call she had received. She states a man claiming to be an attorney named Robert Fritz called her from the phone number 718-593-4415 and told her he was representing her grandson who had been in an accident in Bronx, New York, and he needed $8,000.00 to bond out of jail. He allowed her to talk with a male who claimed to be her grandson, but the “grandson” stated his lips were stitched and bandaged from surgery after the accident, so he sounded different. She claimed the attorney had an accent, but could not identify what country he came from.

The victim was told to get $8,000.00 cash and Fed Ex it to 1847 University Avenue #W1, Bronx, New York 10453. The suspect told her to place the cash between the pages of magazines and/or newspapers and Fed Ex it immediately. The victim contacted her relatives and spoke with her grandson, who was not in New York, was not injured, and had not been in an accident.

The investigator confirmed she had not provided any personal, confidential, or financial information and had not lost any money. She was advised to check her mail for the next couple months and check for fraudulent accounts that may have been opened in her name. She was also advised to contact her bank and make them aware of the fraud attempt. The investigator called her bank in Beatrice and spoke with an official, alerting them to the scam. The banking official stated they will assist their client with guarding against fraud and scams.

Anyone who receives a phone call, letter, or e-mail demanding or asking for money and they have not initiated the transaction, should be suspicious. Contact a trusted relative, local banking official, or call their local police department to report the incident or call the Gage County Sheriff’s Office and ask to speak with an investigator.

Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson #903

Investigator T. Hanson #90310