Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) – Attempts of scams have increased rapidly in southeast Minnesota, with the elderly being targeted the most.
The Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office said they have received many reports of elderly citizens being scammed out of large amounts of money, including a man that sent a woman about $350,000 that he met on Match.com.
“The Sheriff’s Office and Olmsted County Adult Protection would like to remind those with elderly family members or friends to watch how they are managing their money. Not only those who are vulnerable adults but others living alone, lonely, or depressed can fall for the smooth conversation of a con man,” the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office said. “If possible, assign power of attorney to a family member or get conservatorship/legal guardianship over their financial affairs. Remind your family members not to buy gift cards if requested to do so by an unknown person. This is one of the most common and easily recognizable signs of a scam.”
Recent reports of fraud cases reported to the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office include:
1) – A Byron man sending an amount of about $350,000.00 to a woman who is believed to live in Denmark (unknown if true). The woman relayed a story of owning a hotel in Africa and needing money to get it back in to working order. The victim sent the money in 15 separate actions. Reported by victim’s financial institute. He connected with the woman on Match.com.
2)…
