^{TELEPHONE FRAUD WARNING GRANDCHILD IN TROUBLE HOAX}

  

The Nevada Police Department has received multiple reports since November 1 concerning a telephone fraud targeting elderly residents.  The fraud involves a perpetrator making telephone contact with generally an elderly person.  The perpetrator claims to be either the grandchild of the targeted victim or someone who knows the grandchild of the targeted victim.  The perpetrator then purports that the alleged grandchild is in trouble and needs money wired to them right away.  Generally the fraud involves allegations that the grandchild is in jail.  The perpetrator attempts to convince the victim to send money via wire transfer right away so the grandchild can be released from jail.  The perpetrator almost always tells the targeted person not to tell anyone or contact anyone prior to sending the requested money.

The most frequent warning signs of the “grandparent scam”:
* An urgent call for financial help with an emergency such as a car crash, medical emergency, or trouble with the law.
* A request to send money immediately by wire transfer via Western Union or MoneyGram.
* A request to keep the call confidential – and not tell parents or other family members.
This is a telephone fraud that has been occurring elsewhere in Iowa and across the country.  Evidence suggests the perpetrators are calling from overseas or Canada.  The perpetrators in one case convinced a Nevada resident to wire transfer money to a location in Canada.  If you receive this type of telephone call, do not provide any personal information about yourself or your bank accounts over the phone. 

Investigation into these types of frauds typically crosses international borders, which makes prosecution unlikely and the recovery of any lost funds near impossible.  Nevada residents are urged to contact the Nevada Police Department at 515.382.4593 and file a police report if you have been targeted as part of this telephone fraud.