Leader Staff
Shawano County authorities were able to intervene in time to save an 82-year-old Birnamwood woman from a $50,000 scam Thursday.
The Shawano County Sheriff’s Department reported the woman had been contacted by a man identifying himself as a law enforcement official from another state. He claimed her grandson had been arrested and a $50,000 cash bond needed to be forwarded to a specific address.
The woman realized what was likely going on and contacted authorities, but not before she had already sent the money through a private delivery vendor.
“Deputy Spencer Russ quickly identified what had occurred, collected the relevant evidence, and coordinated his actions with the delivery service and enlisted the help of a relative of the victim. As a result of the early intervention in the event and excellent police work of Deputy Russ, the package was stopped in transit and is being returned to the owner,” the Sheriff’s Department said in a news release.
The case remains under investigation, including communications with the legitimate law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction where the package was to be delivered.
“This type of scam is meant to create shock and imply that immediate action is required. These criminals only want their victims to act immediately out of a sense of urgency and not stop and think,” Sheriff Adam Bieber said.
“If anyone receives a call, email, text or other message indicating action is required now, you need to take the time to calm down, consider what is being asked of you, and talk with others that might be involved,” he said. “Taking the time to consider the credibility of the request and method requested will save both money and a lot of emotional pain.”
Bieber noted that while this case ended well, most do not, and he commended Russ for his response.