Arnold Police recently received two reports about residents being scammed out of money. Together, the two people lost $2,520, a report said.
A 31-year-old Arnold woman was scammed out of $1,570, and a 58-year-old Arnold man was scammed out of $950, according to the report.
The woman got a $1,940 check in the mail with instructions to cash it and then use Western Union to wire $1,570 to someone in Arizona and keep the remaining $370, a report said.
After the victim wired the money, she learned the $1,940 check was no good. She reported the scam to Arnold Police on Sept. 12, according to the report.
The Arnold man was contacted by someone on the internet promising to send him $9,000 if he sent the scammer $950 in iTunes cards and other electronic payments. The man sent the $950 but never got the $9,000 in return. That scam was reported to Arnold Police on Sept. 13.
It’s virtually impossible to trace transactions like those to the culprit, so the money is likely lost for good, Detective Lt. James Jones said.
“The money is rerouted so many times and sometimes through foreign countries,” he said.
Jones said scammers often target older people or those who need money.
He advises people not to send strangers money.
“If someone is offering you money, always check it out first. If they’re calling you for money, don’t send anything without checking first.”