Sheriff's Office Investigating 'Grandparent Scam' Amid Rising Reports

An elderly couple of Winneshiek County fell victim to a "grandparent scam" yesterday and lost $15,000. The scammers drove to their residence under the guise of a "courier" and took possession of $15,000 in cash. The Winneshiek County Sheriff's Office took several additional reports of this scheme where the victims detected the scam and no money was lost. We suspect that it is likely there are more households that have fallen victim to this scam that have not yet been reported. How the Scam WorksThe scammers use an elaborate story to manipulate victims. They claim that an adult grandchild or other loved one has been in a car accident involving a pregnant woman. The story goes that the grandchild was texting and driving, causing the crash, and has been arrested and taken to jail. The scammers impersonate law enforcement officers, attorneys, and even the grandchild. The fake "grandchild" often pretends to be mistreated by the authorities and emphasizes the urgency of paying bond money to secure their release. These scammers are persistent and demanding. They frequently claim there is a "gag order," warning victims not to discuss the situation with anyone. This is a very common scam that the Winneshiek County Sheriff's Office has previously warned of that people continue to fall victim to and lose money. This most recent scam does seem to target landline phones. The best way to prevent these scams from happening is by making others aware. Please share these details. This case remains under investigation and the Winneshiek County Sheriff's Office continues to pursue any leads. Stay ahead of the curve! Subscribe to free newsletters for exclusive insights, local trends and analysis delivered straight to your inbox.