Scam Phone Call (IRS Arrest Warrant)

DATE & TIME: 05-09-2018 /1129

LOCATION: Beatrice, Nebraska      

OFFENSE: Scam Phone Call (IRS Arrest Warrant)

CASE #: 2018-2113

A Beatrice resident stated she received a telephone call from 708-646-2412, which left an automated message telling her there was a problem with her taxes, they had been trying to reach her for six months, and since she had not responded, they were considering this intentional fraud and a lawsuit had been initiated against her. She called the number back and a male with an accent that sounded like he was from India, told her he was Officer Steve Johnson with the IRS (Internal Revenue Service). The suspect told her he was working with the local sheriff and unless she started making immediate payments, she would be arrested. 

He told her to go to Dollar General and purchase the largest denomination iTunes App card she could and provide him the information on the back for payment. The resident was suspicious, but the suspect threatened her with arrest and since she was already out of the house, she stopped at the Dollar General in Beatrice. She was still on the phone with the suspect and he told her to not hang up as he walked her through the process of purchasing the cards and providing him with the information on the back he would need to cash the cards.

The Dollar General manager overheard her talking to the suspect and asked her if she was being told to purchase the iTunes cards to make payments. The victim said yes and the manager told her to hang up because she was being scammed. He said she could simply call the sheriff’s office to confirm the existence of the warrant or if the suspect was cooperating with the sheriff’s office. At about that time the suspect called her back from the number 402-849-7451 and began arguing with her. She states he was very rude and brazen, telling her to go to the sheriff’s office if she wanted to check his story, but she would be arrested. 

The victim drove from Dollar General to the sheriff’s office with the suspect still on the phone. She put the suspect on “mute” and spoke with a Gage County Sheriff’s Office investigator who confirmed with her that she was being scammed.  The investigator interviewed the victim and determined she had not given any personal, financial, or confidential information that would allow the suspect to commit any financial or identity theft crimes against her and that she did not lose any money during this incident.

The investigator followed up with the Dollar General Manager who stated he did overhear her talking with the suspect who was trying to convince her to purchase the iTunes card for payment. He said he interrupted her, told her she was being scammed, and told her to hang up, which she did. He said Dollar General tries to watch out for their customers, because with 14,000 stores nationwide, a victim is always close to a Dollar General Store.

The Gage County Sheriff’s Office investigator notified investigators from the Beatrice Police Department of the scam attempt for their records.

The Gage County Sheriff’s Office urges residents to be extremely cautious when dealing with people demanding money over the telephone, via mail, in person, or over the Internet. Warning signs of a potential fraud or scam are the suspect claiming they need immediate payment or action, want or demand secrecy, they will not let you off the phone/cellphone, ask for payment in a non-traditional business manner or method, such as by purchasing gift cards and providing them with the information, or claiming to have had previous contact with you, but not knowing your name, address, account number or social security number, etc.

If you receive this type of contact, do not provide any information, hang up or block the number, and call 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