A Hopatcong, NJ resident was conned out of more than $1,000 by a man claiming to be a member of the U.S. Treasury.

The 47-year-old victim received a phone call from a man who was posing as a federal agent. According to polices, the man persuaded the victim to head to a Walmart in Rockaway Township, NJ and buy two Green Dot MoneyPak cards, which the scammer used to gain access to the victim’s money.

The victim fell pretty to a scam in which the alleged thief said that he needed the funds to pay off a debt he owed the government.

It wasn’t until the scammer instructed the victim to return to Walmart to transfer more money that the victim realize something might be wrong. When the victim called Hopatcong police, the scammer hung up.

In New Jersey, theft by deception is governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4. As set forth by the statute, theft of more than $500 is classified as a third degree crime. If the suspect in this case is arrested and convicted of third degree theft by deception, he could be sentenced to up to five years in NJ State Prison.

Police have asked members of the public to be on the lookout for other potential scammers. In particular, police are asking the public to be suspicious of any strangers who call out-of-the-blue and ask for money.

 

To learn more, access the NJ.com article entitled “Cop on Costly Phone Scam: ‘I Would So Like to Arrest This Guy.'”

 

If you are facing fraud charges in New Jersey, contact Morristown NJ criminal defense attorney Travis J. Tormey for a free consultation about your case.