(KMZA)--A new scam is being reported in northeast Kansas - and it targets grandparents.
Pottawatomie County Sheriff Greg Riat says at least two elderly residents in his county have fallen prey.
The scams starts when a grandparent gets a call from someone who says they are from the American Embassy in Mexico and their grandchild is in trouble. The caller claims the grandchild is being held and they need money to get out. The grandparents are told not to contact anyone and just to send the funds.
In a another incident, the caller said they were with the Mexican police.
Riat says the victims in these cases have lost thousands of dollars thinking they are helping their grandchildren. However, they later find out their grandchild was never in any danger or jail.
He says the suspects are from outside the country and it’s unlikely the victims will ever receive their money back.
Riat urges those who receive these calls to contact the person who is allegedly in jail or your local law enforcement agency.
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