_Press Release from Riverside Police Department Economic Crimes Unit
A common scam occurs when an elderly person is contacted by phone and told their grandchild or other relative has been arrested or involved in an accident in another country. The caller may identify themselves as their grandchild and then have someone else speak identifying themselves as a peace officer or attorney from that country. The elderly victim is then told to wire transfer money to the caller to pay for bail and other related costs. In many cases, victims have wire transferred over $2,000.00. This scam is commonly known as the "Jailed Relative" scam or "Grandparents Scam."
The "Lottery" scam also continues to be a problem. Victims are contacted by mail or phone and told they have won large amounts of money in a foreign lottery. They are instructed to wire transfer money to the lottery agent for various "taxes." In fact, the victim has not won any sort of lottery and the suspect will continue to ask for additional funds so the "winnings" can be released.
The suspects in these cases often live in other countries. Once the money is wire transferred, it cannot be recovered. Additionally, once victimized in either of these scams, these individuals may be at higher risk for being targeted again.
Community members are being urged to contact the Riverside Police Department if they receive calls where money is asked to be wire transferred. The suspects in these cases will often urge the victim to "not contact local police."
- The Riverside Police Department is urging community members to be watchful for various phone scams where the victim is instructed to wire transfer money. Elderly citizens are particularly at risk.
Contact: Detective Brian Money, Economic Crimes Unit
Phone: (951) 353-7118
Fax: (951) 353-7101 http://www.rpdonline.org/press/
Coming soon:
After the 1st of the year, 2015, the city
will continue with the street light replacement project. For streets on
the westside of Magnolia, the city will start replacing street
lights, like the ones that are on the eastside of Magnolia.
