Police warn residents to beware of phone scam

The Lincoln Police Department has issued the following warning to residents about phone scammers:

In Lincoln and in surrounding cities and towns, residents have been receiving phone calls where the suspect tries to have the victim wire money through such means as Western Union or purchasing Green Dot Money Paks. Suspects use different tactics to appeal to the victims emotions in order to exploit the victim. Some of the tactics used are:

• the money is needed to pay off the taxes from your (the victim’s) lottery winnings from another country
• a relative needs bail money
• the money is needed to make a criminal case disappear by paying off the officials in another country
• a relative was involved in car accident and the money is needed to settle the claim
• a relative will be kidnapped and hurt if the money is not wired

Also, the suspects will warn the victim not to contact the police.  Many of these scams are based out of the country with the elderly being targeted. Residents are urged not to send any money and to call the police at 781-259-8111.