Scammers masquerading as Las Vegas police officers received multiple payments before their victim realized it was a scam and contacted the Metropolitan Police Department on Monday.
According to fraud investigators, the scammers contacted the victim by phone and said the victim had won a lottery. Cash and a new car would be awarded, but the victim had to provide a sum of money to commence delivery of the prizes.
Over the course of 10 days, the victim was contacted multiple times and provided more money to “keep the prize delivery coming.” Finally, the victim was told that the prizes would be delivered by someone named John Green, police said.
The same day, the victim was contacted again by phone by two people who identified themselves as Las Vegas police officers who had stopped Green and impounded all of the prizes. For a fee, the victim could have the prizes released.
The victim asked for verification of this and received a letter with Las Vegas police images on it, including a police badge and photo of Sheriff Doug Gillespie. Yet another fee was requested, and at this point the victim contacted police.
Las Vegas police reminds the public that police officers never solicit payment, and to contact the police department if something suspicious of that nature occurs.
Contact reporter Annalise Porter at aporter@reviewjournal.com.