OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Many seniors grew up trusting that when someone in law enforcement tells them to follow instructions, they do it, even if it’s just over the phone.
Scammers pretending to be federal agents use that respect for authority to steal money.
She’s 91 years old, and when a phony FBI agent contacted her, she listened and obeyed.
“They sounded so important and it was so important that I do everything that they tell me and so I went to the bank and I got the money,” the victim said. First Alert 6 is not identifying her, but she hopes her story can help others.
The scammers told her to conceal $18,000 in cash and mail it to an address in California, but warned the senior not to tell anyone.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t have any other person’s name on my checking account at the bank, or they would have called that person,” she said.
One of her daughters is on the account now.
“Mom, if you ever get a call like this again, you need to let us know,” her daughter said.
And they let the FBI know.
“The Bureau is never going to call you, ask you to send them cash wrapped in a carton or cardboard box and send it to some address somewhere in the U.S. It’s just not going to happen,” said Tom Rasch, a retired FBI agent.
The cash is likely lost, but the victim was saved from sending the phony feds $45,000 more in gold coins.
“She ended up ordering it and called me one day and said, ‘Chris, I think I’m getting scammed,’” said Chris Holtberg, of Millard Jewelry and Coin.
Holtberg helped save the 91-year-old from more loss, but two others weren’t so lucky.
“One lost $150,000, and the other one about $50,000 to $60,000 I believe,” Holtberg said.
The scammers told her to keep it a secret, but this victim says tell family before sending anyone money. She says that advice you can take to the bank.
A spokesperson for the FBI’s Omaha office says reach out to them before sending money to anyone claiming to be an agent.
FBI Omaha response
As part of the FBI’s commitment to investigate financial fraud schemes against seniors, the FBI has dedicated resources to address all types of elder fraud.
There are different types of financial schemes that criminals use against seniors, many geared specifically to their position in life. Some of these scams include:
•Technical-support fraud.
•Confidence fraud/romance scams.
•Telemarketing/mail fraud scams.
•Lottery/sweepstake scams.
•Government Impersonation.
•Real estate fraud: mortgage/reverse mortgage schemes.
•Internet: phishing, malware, other online spoofs.
Additional information on these financial schemes can be found at https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-fraud-schemes.
Tips to help seniors protect themselves against financial scams:
•Shred credit card receipts and old bank statements.
•Close unused credit card or bank accounts.
•Not give out personal information via the phone, mail, or internet unless they initiated the contact.
•Never respond to an offer they don’t understand.
•Discuss investments with a trusted friend, family member, or financial advisor.
•Require all plans and purchases to be in writing.
•Not pay in advance for services.
•Not pay for services via prepaid or gift cards or cryptocurrency. Legitimate services will not request payment via prepaid or gift cards or cryptocurrency.
•Resist the urge to act quickly or secretly, which are frequent tactics used by scammers.
The FBI will never call or email private citizens to request they move money via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or prepaid cards. You can always reach out to your local field office to confirm whether or not an email or message is actually from the FBI.
If someone has been a victim of elder fraud, they can report it to the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833–372–8311, report cyber-enabled crimes at www.ic3.gov, or report tips at tips.fbi.gov.
Additional resources can be found at https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/elder-fraud.
The FBI has prioritized our efforts to address elder fraud and will continue to do so along with our partners.
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