An Arnold-area man reportedly was scammed out of $2,500. The incident was reported about 4:20 p.m. Aug. 1, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office reported.
The victim, who lives in the 800 block of the Rex-Aire mobile home community, told investigators he received a $2,500 check from an alleged business called Car Wrap Co. and was directed to deposit the check and withdraw $2,100 and send $2,000 by money order to a specified address, the report said.
The man also was told to use the leftover $100 to pay for overnight shipping charges, which would ultimately allow him to keep $400 as a down payment. However, after he had followed his instructions, he learned his bank account was short $2,500, according to the report.
Sheriff’s Office spokesman Grant Bissell said Aug. 19 no money had been recovered and no arrests had been made. He also said investigators had not determined if Car Wrap Co. exists or, if it does exist, if scammers were using its name to appear legitimate.
Bissell said the incident should serve as a warning to others to be careful when offers seem too good to be true.
“They may seem legit, but they never are,” he said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau at 636-797-5515.