(KAIR)--They’re being called “confidence scams,” and the Platte County Sheriff’s Office is warning of their potential ramifications.

According to a news release from the agency, the sheriff’s office has recently investigated a number of such cases, which involve on line and telephone communications initiated by individuals with international ties. 

In one case outlined in the release, a scam artist convinced an elderly victim that she would be helping him out with reuniting him and his estranged daughter.  The victim felt obliged and sent him money because she considered herself as being very fortunate and blessed at this time of the year.  Eventually, she was passed off to two other “handlers” who promised to return her investment many times over.  She was even provided with photographs of the currency they promised to send her.  She received nothing.

 In another case a senior citizen was convinced to assist a man who lied by telling her he was being held against his will by a foreign government illegally.  She paid him hundreds of thousands of dollars to help him get back to the United States.  Of course, one legal issue led to another with this scammer enabling him to ask this kind-hearted Platte County Samaritan for more and more money.

 Sheriff Mark Owen, in the release, suggests everyone, especially seniors, to be vigilant and check the backgrounds of organizations as well as individuals in an effort to stem the targeting of citizens by scammers.

Owen also stated that no one should ‘give personal or financial information to people over the phone or email, especially to people they don’t know. If a call seems odd or the scenario is too good to be true it’s probably a scam.”