MASON CITY – The Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Department described a phone scam that seems to have a cost a Rockwell resident $5,000.
According to a sheriff’s report, a subject called a Rockwell resident on January 4th and identified himself as David Sawyer. According to the report, the caller told the victim that “she had won a new Mercedes Benz and 5 million dollars.”
The report went on to say that “after telling her all the good things she could do with the money, he stated that he only needed her (the victim) to buy a “Greendot” card at Wal-Mart for a $1,000 and give him the card number.”
Apparently, according to the report, the victim, who was not named, followed through with the caller’s request.
“This being done, (the) subject asked for another $1,000 dollars and police were called by (the) victim.”
The report indicates that Rockwell police and Cerro Gordo County Sheriffs worked together to investigate the matter.
Authorities said that they “contacted GREENDOT, and was informed that the money had been transfered to a sister company BUYRIGHT PREPAID CARD, and stated that they have no contact info for the company but Buyright has a web site. The Web site (was) checked and no contact info is listed. The numbers called from on caller id were 347-732-9787 and 347-368-6987. The number the victim was to call back on was 1-876-504-7329.”
The report indicates that when authorities called, there was no answer at any of the listed numbers.
This is so sad that people buy into this stuff.
I do of course feel sorry for the victim. The victim is probably and elderly person that knows nothing about the green dot card at Wal-Mart.(of course, I don’t know that for a fact but I am assuming.)
I think a good faith effort by Wal-Mart should be done in these cases. The employee should have said, “wow, a thousand dollars? Who is the lucky one you are sending this to?” Could be a matter of fact conversation but they employee at Wal-Mart may have been able to warn the victim of a possible crime. I think Law enforcement needs to send a note to Wal-Mart about this.
Also, I understand the victim is out $1,000, the headline say’s $5,000. Where does the other $4,000 come into this story?
It is good that they have those phone numbers, they can be traced. Let’s hope this gets solved.
Have you ever met a Wal-Mart employee? Generally, not smart enough to remember the way home let alone investigate these sales. Sorry to let you in on that little secret. Oh, and Jesus was just a man, not God.
Stupid is as stupid does.
Nice of you to add insult to injury for someone who just lost $5,000. I’m sure you’ve never done anything you regretted later.
Agree JMO, Fred must enjoy kicking puppies too. Keep it to yourself Fred, no need to post an insult when they probably feel bad as it is.