Springfield police are warning their residents about an old scam that is still taking advantage of the unsuspecting. Only this time they say they caught the scammer.
According to officials, 61-year-old Antonio Brown called a Springfield resident Thursday, telling them they won $850,000 and a new car from the Publisher’s Clearinghouse Sweepstakes.
Brown allegedly told the victim he needed $800 for the taxes and would be at their house in an hour to collect it. He knew the victim’s name, address, and phone number. The victim called police.
When officers arrived, they said Brown was at the home, trying to get the money.
“First off, if they want to stay on the phone with them, it’s a scam because they don’t want you calling for help. They don’t want you calling a loved one or a friend or someone. If they tell you you have to go get these funds in a specific manner like a prepaid visa, a green dot card, or a gaming card. Nobody takes money that way to pay a debt,” Springfield Police Chief Barry Roberts said.
Roberts said if you believe you have become the victim of a scam, contact law enforcement as soon as possible. The earlier they are caught the better chance there is to recover your funds.
“The supposed victim in this case, she immediately said this isn’t right. This is not normal. And had she not reached out to us, you know, maybe she wasn’t going to pay them what they wanted. But somebody else would have. And she was very quick to think and got us there immediately,” Roberts said.
Brown is charged with communications fraud and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. Roberts believes he is part of a much larger operation, but isn’t cooperating with authorities.
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Source: mypanhandle
