Crime & Safety

Menlo Park Police Alert Public to Elder Fraud

Law enforcement officials are investigating a scam that is plaguing elderly Menlo Park residents and asking the public to be on alert.

Law enforcement officials are investigating a scam that is plaguing elderly Menlo Park residents and asking the public to be on alert.

“Monetary scams have been going on for some time now, and most recently an elderly couple residing in Menlo Park was victimized by a ‘Jamaican lottery scam’ with ties to a business named Global International,” said Sergeant Kevin Paugh in a statement on Monday.

Paugh said the scammers often target senior citizens via the telephone, calling from Las Vegas, Jamaica, or a blocked number. When the caller engages the person in conversation, they tell the person who answers that they have won a prize, or promise them large financial gains for doing an activity. The scammers ask people to write them checks or wire them large sums of money.  

In one case, the caller kept calling back over and over throughout the day, asking for more money

In another case, the scammer convinced a person to purchase a gift card at a local store then tell the scammer the card number, so they could redeem the card for cash.

Menlo Park Police say following the following tips could prevent you, or your loved ones, from being a victim.

1) Have an unlisted telephone number
2) Don’t answer calls from blocked, unknown, or private numbers
3) Never give personal information over the phone to a person who called you
4) If you do pick up a call, verify any information they give you with a family member before taking action.

The Federal Bureau of investigations also has tips that can help you and your family stay safe from scams.

Menlo Park Police say that if you or someone you know has been victimized, call the non-emergency line at (650) 330-6300 to report it. 


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