Irvine Man Falls Victim to $25k Scam: Important Advice for Protecting Your Loved Ones
Elderly Man Scammed Out of $25,000 by Impersonators Posing as Police
Irvine investigators are sounding the alarm about increasingly sophisticated money scams targeting the elderly. This warning follows an unfortunate incident where an 80-year-old man was defrauded of $25,000.
The scam unfolded when the victim received a call instructing him to visit a Kohl’s department store to hand over cash to a courier, a directive that took place two weeks ago.
“You never think it’s going to happen to your family member,” said the victim’s son, who chose to remain anonymous to protect his family’s privacy. He expressed his shock upon discovering that his father had fallen victim to the scam.
“I work in technology, and although we receive training on these issues, the common sense we take for granted is new to the older generation,” he added.
According to investigators, the scammers misled the victim, claiming that a hold would be placed on his bank account due to an ongoing criminal investigation. Following the initial call, the victim received a spoofed phone call displaying the Irvine Police Department’s official number. The impersonator, claiming to be the chief of police, directed him to cooperate with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Irvine Police Public Information Officer Ziggy Azarcon explained the tactics used by the scammers. They not only spoofed the police department’s number but also researched the names of real law enforcement officers to lend credibility to their ruse.
“The victim withdrew $25,000 in cash, wrapped it in a shoebox, and then met with a courier at Kohl’s to hand it over, believing he would be arrested otherwise,” Azarcon said.
He emphasized that legitimate law enforcement agencies will never threaten arrest over unpaid fines. Azarcon urged anyone who receives such a call to hang up immediately, seek out the correct phone number for the police department, and verify any claims made by the callers.
