Social Security / DEA Phone Scam

DATE & TIME: 10-20-2020 @ 14:14

LOCATION: Beatrice, Nebraska

OFFENSE: Social Security / DEA Phone Scam

CASE #: 2020-4759

A resident of Beatrice came to the Gage County Sheriff’s Office and notified a sheriff’s office investigator that she had received a phone call from a number with the same area code and prefix as hers. An automated message advised her to press “1” to speak with an officer. A male with a foreign accent told her he was “Officer Daniel Cooper #ST7717” with the Drug Enforcement Administration. She was told her social security number was associated with drug trafficking, a rented black Toyota in Alston, Texas, and multiple bank accounts. He also told her the sheriff’s office would be coming for her. At this point she disconnected the call and when she called back to check on the legitimacy of the call, a female answered who had no connection to the original call.

The Beatrice resident did not lose any money and did not provide personal, confidential or financial information to the suspect.

The Gage County Sheriff’s Office urges residents to exercise extreme caution when dealing with unknown persons, whether on the phone, via the internet, by mail, or in person. Do not succumb to demands for secrecy or pressure from unknown persons. If you have any questions or concerns about a situation presented to you, confer with a family member or friend, or contact your local police department or the Gage County Sheriff’s Office and ask to speak with an investigator to determine if a situation is a fraud or scam.

Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson #903

Investigator T. Hanson #90310