Post by sam on Sept 2, 2010 13:15:34 GMT -5
For immediate release: Sep 30, 2010
Posted by: [ISP]
Contact: Sgt. Curt Durnil
Phone: (812) 332-4411 OR (800) 423-1286
Email: cdurnil@isp.in.gov
Indiana State Police Warn of Area Pre-Payment Scam
Bloomington - The Indiana State Police have been made aware of yet another scam that has surfaced in the area and has been responsible for scamming thousands out of unsuspecting victims coast to coast.
The scam works like this: the would-be victim receives a call from a firm identified as "Mega Millions". The victim is told they have won 2.5 million and a new Mercedes Benz. The victim is then told to call a person to claim the prizes and is given a telephone number. After the victim calls the number as instructed, the representative tells the victim to go to a Western Union store and buy special "stamps". The victim is told to take proper identification to Western Union because they would not want to "give the prize to the wrong person". These special "stamps" cost $250.00.
If the victim does not follow the instructions, they will receive a follow up phone call from "Mega Millions" and given a similar story as the one before. This time the victim is given the same phone number to call, but told to speak to a different person. When the victim calls back, they are told that "Mega Millions" is located in Las Vegas NV and given a street address to "back it up". This time however, the victim is told the IRS needs to collect $350 before the prizes can be collected. The victim is further told that originally the IRS needed $700, but they were able to settle with the IRS to collect only $350. The victim is then told that a computer has randomly chosen them as winners from over 3000 people selected who regularly shop at such places as Wal-Mart, JC Penney, etc. The victim is then told there were three levels of prizes to win from; 1) $10 million, 2) $3 million, 3) $2.5 million and a new Mercedes Benz.
In this particular case, the potential victim asked the representative where the car was located. The would-be victim was told the car was in Bedford, IN., but refused to give the car's exact location. The prospective victim was further told the car was titled in their name in advance. When the potential victim asked to see the car before paying the fee, they were told if they did not want to go to Western Union they could go to Wal-Mart and take care of the fee through "Money Gram".
Thankfully the potential victim was suspicious and did not comply. Remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is!
The Indiana State Police encourages anyone with information regarding any type of "pre-payment" scam such as this to contact Detective Brad Stille at the Bloomington Post at (812) 332-4411.
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Link to this event: www.in.gov/portal/news_events/57178.htm
Indiana State Police Warn of Area Pre-Payment Scam Sep 30, 2010 content_id:918975F6289F4462B9E8061230E35785; type:press; agency:ISP; showOnHomepage:; sortDate:Sep 30, 2010; filterDate:201009; isBanner:no; agencyDivision:ISP;09 - September;2010;Press Release;Show on Home
Posted by: [ISP]
Contact: Sgt. Curt Durnil
Phone: (812) 332-4411 OR (800) 423-1286
Email: cdurnil@isp.in.gov
Indiana State Police Warn of Area Pre-Payment Scam
Bloomington - The Indiana State Police have been made aware of yet another scam that has surfaced in the area and has been responsible for scamming thousands out of unsuspecting victims coast to coast.
The scam works like this: the would-be victim receives a call from a firm identified as "Mega Millions". The victim is told they have won 2.5 million and a new Mercedes Benz. The victim is then told to call a person to claim the prizes and is given a telephone number. After the victim calls the number as instructed, the representative tells the victim to go to a Western Union store and buy special "stamps". The victim is told to take proper identification to Western Union because they would not want to "give the prize to the wrong person". These special "stamps" cost $250.00.
If the victim does not follow the instructions, they will receive a follow up phone call from "Mega Millions" and given a similar story as the one before. This time the victim is given the same phone number to call, but told to speak to a different person. When the victim calls back, they are told that "Mega Millions" is located in Las Vegas NV and given a street address to "back it up". This time however, the victim is told the IRS needs to collect $350 before the prizes can be collected. The victim is further told that originally the IRS needed $700, but they were able to settle with the IRS to collect only $350. The victim is then told that a computer has randomly chosen them as winners from over 3000 people selected who regularly shop at such places as Wal-Mart, JC Penney, etc. The victim is then told there were three levels of prizes to win from; 1) $10 million, 2) $3 million, 3) $2.5 million and a new Mercedes Benz.
In this particular case, the potential victim asked the representative where the car was located. The would-be victim was told the car was in Bedford, IN., but refused to give the car's exact location. The prospective victim was further told the car was titled in their name in advance. When the potential victim asked to see the car before paying the fee, they were told if they did not want to go to Western Union they could go to Wal-Mart and take care of the fee through "Money Gram".
Thankfully the potential victim was suspicious and did not comply. Remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is!
The Indiana State Police encourages anyone with information regarding any type of "pre-payment" scam such as this to contact Detective Brad Stille at the Bloomington Post at (812) 332-4411.
« Back to News Release List
Link to this event: www.in.gov/portal/news_events/57178.htm
Indiana State Police Warn of Area Pre-Payment Scam Sep 30, 2010 content_id:918975F6289F4462B9E8061230E35785; type:press; agency:ISP; showOnHomepage:; sortDate:Sep 30, 2010; filterDate:201009; isBanner:no; agencyDivision:ISP;09 - September;2010;Press Release;Show on Home