- April 20, 2024
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An 88-year-old Palm Coast woman became a victim of a telephone scam Tuesday, costing her a total of $2,500.
The woman told deputies she received a call from a man who claimed to be a lawyer in the Dominican Republic. The man told her that her grandson was in jail and injured. In order to get him released, the phony lawyer told the woman to wire $2,500 to him to “assist in the costs for transportation.”
The elderly woman told deputies she went to a local supermarket, where she had the money wired to an address in the Dominican Republic. The scammer called back to confirm he received the money, but that he would need more funds to complete the process. The victim went back to the supermarket, but the wire transfer was declined because the allowed limit was exceeded.
The victim went home and called her daughter, who told the woman her grandson was not in jail and he was still in the military.
This is not a new scam, according to Debra Johnson, spokeswoman for the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. Flagler County residents continue to call reporting similar telephone calls throughout the year claiming that a relative is in trouble and needs money.
“Everyone — not just our senior citizens — needs to be very suspicious of any unusual telephone calls and solicitations,” said Sheriff Donald Fleming said Wednesday in a statement. “Above all, never give out personal and financial information.”
Anyone who is concerned they may have been the target of a scam should contact the Sheriff’s Office at 313-4911.
