LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Mesquite Police say a scam, one they haven’t seen before, started with a phone call to a 75-year-old retiree in Mesquite in September. Police say the woman was told there was a problem with her bank accounts and alleged scammers said they belonged to different agencies.
“FBI, Better Business Bureau, US Marshals to name a few. At one point they’d even spoofed a phone call from the Mesquite Police Department using our main number,” said Mesquite Police Sergeant Wyatt Oliver.
Police say callers tried to convince the woman that even a bank wasn’t a safe place for her money. She ended up withdrawing $45,000 from two local banks.
The alleged scam was different from what Mesquite Police have seen.
“This was very unique in that it was actually somebody coming to meet her in-person to take the money,” said Sgt. Wyatt Oliver.
Sgt. Oliver says a one-on-one meeting could be very dangerous.
“Somebody could be armed because they’re coming to take a great deal of money. And if the person decides no I don’t want to go through with this, I feel like this is sketchy I don’t want to do it, they’re not going to likely leave without a fight for their money they want to steal,” said Oliver.
However, police had a different idea. Instead of the woman meeting the suspect, police would go in her place. Police thought up the idea when the woman became suspicious and called them.
The meet-up was set for a Smith’s grocery store parking lot. Police say they believe the suspect got nervous when he saw the car he was supposed to meet but didn’t see a woman driving. He left the parking lot, but police pulled him over for a traffic violation.
Police say they discovered nearly $100,000 in gold and silver in the suspect’s car. Police identify the suspect as 32-year-old Mihirkumar Amin from Anaheim, California. Police arrested him but say he has since bonded out of jail.
Police say they recovered phones, computer and laptop in the car and say they believe Amin drove to Mesquite from Anaheim and was planning to drive back after collecting the money. Police say more people may be involved and the investigation continues.
People who get a similar phone call are urged to hang up and call their bank directly. Mesquite Police say they would like to be notified too. At this point there is no word who the gold and silver belong to.
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