Scammers have descended to unprecedented depths of depravity, preying upon a vulnerable elderly woman from Rancho Cucamonga and swindling her out of an astonishing $1.25 million.
In a sophisticated telephone scam, fraudsters masquerading as representatives of Wal-Mart International cunningly convinced the 79-year-old that her identity had been compromised and that she was on the brink of arrest unless she made a substantial payment.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department disclosed that the initial contact was made in October, during which the victim was manipulated into wiring the funds to a Bank of America account.
The malicious scheme escalated when the scammers made a second call in December, this time issuing threats of arrest or dire consequences if she failed to comply with their demands.
The scam came to light after the victim confided in her son, who promptly alerted law enforcement to the nefarious activities of the scammers.
In response, the Sheriff’s Department issued a warning through Nixle, urging the community to remain vigilant and providing tips to avoid falling victim to such heinous scams.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities are diligently working to unmask the culprit or culprits responsible for this vile scam, collaborating closely with the financial institutions involved.
The advisory issued by the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner underscored the extreme lengths to which these criminals will go to plunder innocent people’s savings.
Law enforcement is now appealing to the public for any information that could lead to the apprehension of these ruthless criminals. Anyone with information or who suspects they may have fallen victim to a similar scheme is encouraged to contact the Rancho Cucamonga Station at 909-477-2800 or to remain anonymous, call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME.
The statement also emphasized that government agencies and local law enforcement will never solicit money or personal information over the phone. If you suspect a caller or email may be fraudulent, terminate the interaction immediately and contact the organization directly using verified contact details, not those provided by the suspected scammer.