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Money laundering scam circulating locally

By Submitted

09/18/2020

(KNZA)--Brown County Sheriff John Merchant is alerting residents about a familiar scam that is circulating in the area--only this time, there is a modification to it.

Residents have been contacted by phone and the caller is identifying themselves as an official from the social security administration and the DEA. The caller, who has a very thick foreign accent, is telling the resident that their social security number is being used to open multiple bank accounts in Texas and they are being charged with money laundering.

When the resident begins to question the validity of the accusation, the caller states he will put Sheriff Merchant on the phone to speak with them. Another person with a thick foreign accent comes on the phone stating that he is Sheriff Merchant and the caller needs to pay restitution or they will be immediately arrested at their home.

Merchant says several county residents have believed the callers and went to their local banks to withdraw large sums of money. One resident was told that when they had the money, they were to call for instructions on where the money was to be sent. Thankfully, he said the county's bank tellers were aware this is a scam and saved the residents from losing their hard earned money.

Merchant reminds residents to never give out personal information over the phone and if you are coerced in to sending large amounts of money to someone you are not 100% sure of, contact your local law enforcement or your local bank at once .

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