Get Go Station Dinged for $23K in Fraud Scheme

The Grandparent Scam is also rearing its ugly head again this week with senior citizens in Westlake and Bay Village being swindled out of thousands of dollars.

Here are the details:

– $23,000 Fraud in Fairview: Officers responded to the GetGo Station at 21991 Lorain Road on the report of a $23,000.00 fraud on February 19. Upon arrival it was learned an employee was tricked into activating unpurchased gift cards. The scammer received the card information from the unsuspecting employee. After the fraud, the employee contacted store management who confirmed the employee was tricked. An internal investigation shows the card numbers were used in purchases made in South Florida. The crime is still under investigation.

-In Bay Village, a Manhasset Road resident reported he had fallen victim to a scam on Feb. 25.  He received a call from someone claiming to be his grandson.  The male stated he had been arrested, and needed $2,000 to be wired to him via Western Union.  The male complied, and wired $500.  He later realized he had been scammed.  Police are investigating.

-In Westlake, Police report that a caring grandfather was fooled by a scammer and lost $3600 by trying to help his grandson.

The scam played out on Feb. 16 when the caring grandfather received a call from a male pretending to be his grandson.  The “grandson” said that he was in financial trouble and needed the victim to buy $3600 worth of gift cards to Best Buy.  The grandfather, wanting to help out, did this and ended up giving the scammer the account numbers.

When the thief called again the next day attempting to steal more money, an alert family member intervened and contacted police.  The perpetrator had told the grandfather not to tell anyone.

Officers are attempting to follow-up on online purchases made with the gift cards.

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