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YCSO Deputy Prevents $5500 Scam of Sedona Victim

Sedona AZ – On April 22, 2019, at 10:00 p.m., YCSO deputies were dispatched to a fraud incident in the Village of Oak Creek, Sedona, Arizona.

A 92-year-old senior citizen believed he had been scammed after being told a family member was in jail who needed bail money to get out. The victim told deputies that a man claiming the name of Julius Ramsey called, identified himself as a bail bondsman, and indicated the victim’s grandson was in-custody on a $5000 bond. Another person came on the telephone line claiming to be his grandson, and said he had been arrested after being found at-fault in an accident.

At this point, due to the stress of such a call, the victim believed he actually was speaking to his grandson. Then the ‘Mr. Ramsey’ got back on the line and confirmed the “grandson’s” story, adding that the accident involved a pregnant woman and charges had been filed. He noted the “grandson” was eligible for release if the victim provided $5000 to cover the bond.

The Sedona grandfather said that he would send the money immediately. Then ‘Mr. Ramsey’ provided an address in Mastic Beach, New York.

The next day, the victim overnighted a total of $5500 via United Parcel Service (UPS) as instructed. He called the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office later that same evening after beginning to suspect fraud.

The reporting deputy obtained a tracking number for the shipment from the victim and immediately contacted a UPS representative and explained the criminal investigation underway: The deputy requested an immediate package intercept due to the fraud nature of the case.

The UPS employee sent an electronic message indicating the package should be returned to the victim before expected delivery the following day: The victim was instructed to return to the UPS store the next day to confirm the intercept. On April 23, 2019, the deputy contacted the victim and verified the intercept request was successful and that the package was on its way back, fully intact.

Telephone scams bilk millions of savings and earnings.

This scam is a common occurrence in Yavapai County and targets our senior population. Please share this story which those older folks you may care for so they understand the nature of this fraud. The knowledge of the scam shared to those targeted in our community will prevent further victims.

Citizens can contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office with information or questions at 928-771-3260 or the YCSO website @ www.ycsoaz.gov.

If you believe that a scam has victimized someone, please alert the YCSO or your local law enforcement agency. Together we can help others in our communities from being victimized by scammers with shared information: You may email and or social network this article to others by copying the article address in the browser above.

 

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