The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office has recently received calls from concerned citizens in reference to telephone scams. Citizens are reporting that they are receiving calls from area codes (202), (836), and (504) as well as a host of other area codes. The (202) area code is assigned to the Washington, DC area; however these calls are not originating in Washington, DC. Area code (836) is “unassigned” and area code (504) is a country code for Honduras. Due to technology, these scammers can use any area code and spoof any telephone number that they want. They can use SKYPE (VoIP), Magic Jack, different programs and apps that can fool Caller ID technology. Unlike landline based telephone service, the use of VoIP and Magic Jack type technologies can mean the telephone service being used by scammers could be originating anywhere in the world. This does not even include the use of prepaid cell phones that do not have subscriber information. So, as far as locating these scammers, law enforcement is at a great disadvantage in determining the location from which the calls are being made. Unfortunately, these scams can run the gambit of being the promise of FREE money to threats against a citizen’s family members and loved-ones. Most of the calls from area code (202) deal with the promise of FREE government grant money. However, the con-artist asks the intended target for bank account and/or credit card information in an attempt to obtain a FEE for the FREE money. They also attempt to have the intended targets wire money, either via Money Gram or Western Union, or attempt to get the target to purchase MoneyPack or GreenDot cards. The calls that are originating from area codes (836) and (504) are more insidious and frightening. These scammers are using fear to try an extort money from their intended targets. The con-artists begin the call by telling the victim that their child has been involved in a serious car accident. If the intended target accidently tells them the name of their child, the scammer will then start referring to the child by that name. The recent conversations reported to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office goes something like this: Caller: Mr. Smith, your child has been involved in an accident and damaged my brother’s car. Victim: Who, my daughter Ashley? Caller: Yes, Ashley ran into the back of my brother’s car. He is a gang member and has a gun. He took Ashley hostage and is threatening to kill her unless she pays for the damage to his car. If you call anyone, if Ashley’s cell phone even rings, he is going to kill her. You need to go to CVS and send a money order to John Doe in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The con artist will attempt to keep the intended target on the phone until the money order is wired and received. Sadly, a few people have fallen prey to this very scary telephone scam. The goal of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office is to educate the public on these scams. It is the only tool that we have to combat these international scammers. We are asking the Media and our fellow citizens to spread the word and the warnings concerning these scams. -- Beverly A. Deans Public Safety Division Director Wayne Community College
Posted on: Sat, 24 Aug 2013 13:02:16 +0000
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