Sheriff's office warns of senior-targeted scam

The Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office is warning county residents of a scam targeted to seniors.

According to a media release from the sheriff’s office, the scam revolves around someone calling a resident and claiming they’re a grandchild who has been jailed and needs money for attorney’s fees, bail and other expenses. The caller, explaining their strange-sounding voice, says they have a cold to divert suspicion away from the caller.

According to the release, the first call is often followed up with a second call from another person claiming to the grandchild’s attorney, who confirms the story fed to the potential victim and requests a large amount of money, usually between $2,000 and $4,000, to be wired right away.

“Obviously, the swindlers are doing some research before they make their calls,” Sweetwater County Sheriff Rich Haskell said in the press release.

“That’s a big part of making it all sound authentic. They know the grandson’s name and use it,” he said.

The sheriff’s office reports that a phone number from Brawley, Calif. is often reported with the calls and warns residents to be on guard if they receive similar calls.

The sheriff’s office encourages residents to independently check the story they’re told if they are contacted before sending any sum of money through a wire service.

Residents can also contact either the sheriff’s office or the Green River Police Department if they feel they’ve been targeted in a potential scam.