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New Scam Surfaces In Wayne County

August 06, 2008
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A scam that preys on the emotions of a potential victim has surfaced in Wayne County. A watchful citizen was initially exposed to the would be scam this past weekend but was successful in recognizing and thwarting the efforts of the scam artist. The citizen called and reported the incident to Investigator Stevens at the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department.
 
The scam works in various ways but begins with the victim receiving a telephone call from an individual identifying themselves as a Law Enforcement Dispatcher. The scam artist posing as a Dispatcher asks the victim if they have a loved one traveling on the Interstate or highway. (This call is the result of random fishing) The scam artist posing a dispatcher informs the potential victim that a family member has been in a horrible automobile accident and needs to transfer the victim to an officer on the scene. An individual posing as an officer relays information to the victim that usually ends up with the supposed loved one needing some kind of life saving event such as a helicopter flight, etc... The victim’s guard is usually dropped due to the emotions of the victim being heightened because of the belief that a loved one is seriously injured, coupled to the belief that the victim has received an official notification from law enforcement. The scam artist closes the deal by informing the victim that an initial payment for some type of life saving services needs to be wired to them.
 
This scam became popular during Spring Break and peak vacation times when a lot of people are traveling. Be wary of these type of incidents. Law Enforcement and/or Emergency Medical Services would never require, much less ask, for money in this manner.
 
In the thwarted scam this weekend, the scam artist informed the would be victim that the accident was in Lauderdale County.