During the past month there has been a new on-line scam trend. The victim will find a vehicle for an unbelievable price on “Craigslist” or “E-bay”, and e-mail the seller they are interested in the vehicle. The seller will return an e-mail stating he or she is currently in the armed forces (Army, Navy, Marines, etc.) and was recently transferred to another state and needs to sell the vehicle quickly.
The seller and victim agree on a price. The seller will then instruct the victim to purchase a “Green Dot” pre-paid cash card for the agreed amount. The victim will then contact the seller via telephone or e-mail and give the seller the “Green Dot” code and the money will be deposited on the sellers account, (usually out of state). The seller will then tell the victim the vehicle will be delivered in four days. The vehicle never arrives and the seller can no longer be contacted.
Pico Rivera Sheriff’s Station is currently working on two separate cases of this type of fraud where the victims lost $4,500 and $2,400 respectively. The Sheriff’s Department wants to remind consumers to use caution when transferring money for on-line transactions. Remember if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
If you have been a victim of this scam and live in Pico Rivera Station’s service area, please contact Pico Rivera Sheriff’s Station, Detective Avila, at (562) 949-2421.
Pico Rivera Sheriff’s Station polices the City of Pico Rivera and unincorporated community of West Whittier.
Pico Rivera Sheriff’s Station
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
6631 Passons Boulevard
Pico Rivera, CA 90660
(562)949-2421
Website: http://www.PicoRivera.lasd.org
LASD Text & Email (Register at http://www.Nixle.com :
http://local.nixle.com/lasd---pico-rivera-station-los-angeles-county-sheriff/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PicoRiveraSheriffsStation
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PRVLASD
