Scammers posing as police pressuring kupuna to send thousands of dollars
By Angela Cifone
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KONA, Hawaii (KITV) — Police officers said they have worked hard to build trust with the communities they serve, but scammers are putting that trust at risk.
Sergeant Wyattlane Nahale at the Kona Community Policing Section said, “We feel we have a great relationship with our community, and to have that trust be placed in jeopardy is really alarming to us.”
Scammers are calling Big Island residents while posing as Hawaii Police Department (HPD) officers.
Their most recent target: a 75-year-old man in Kona who was pressured to send $7,000.
“He received a call from a male scammer claiming to be a police officer. The scammers spoofed the department’s phone number, making it appear the call was coming from the Kona police station,” said Nahale.
Craig Gima, the Communications Director at AARP Hawaii, said, “They don’t care. They just want the money, and they’re very smart at getting it. These guys are professional criminals. They know what they’re doing.”
The call left him shaken and confused.
“He was confused, but I think he was more blown away with the fact that someone would go that far to identify themselves as a former police officer and badge,” said Nahale.
He continued, “They’re posing as police officers, and they’re telling the victims that they have outstanding warrants that they need to pay for right away.”
From there, they demand that money be sent to settle their outstanding warrant.
“This is the trend in scams now: getting people to put money into bitcoin ATMs. They’re all over the place,” said Gima.
Something HPD said would never happen.
“We will never ask for payment of any kind over the phone, nor will we ask for payment at a vending machine, ATM, or through Bitcoin,” said Nahale.
Still, police said it’s easy to be fooled.
“When an individual picks up their phone, and they see a number that resembles a local number coming from the police station, they feel like it’s a valid call coming through,” said Nahale.
“In this case, it was an impersonation scam, but it could be a romance scam. It could be a grandparent scam. This is the way scammers want to take your money now, because it’s new and not a lot of people are familiar with it,” said Gima.
Fortunately, a local business owner stepped in before the man lost any money.
“The clerk is a hero. He or she saw what was going on, and was able to save this man thousands of dollars,” said Gima.
While scams can happen to anyone, officials said kupuna are especially vulnerable.
“I think our most vulnerable group is our kupuna,” said Nahale.
He continued, “Our kupuna are trusting people, and they believe a lot of things that are told to them over the phone.”
Organizations are fighting for a law to help limit the amount of transactions that can be sent, better warning signs, and refunds for fraud.
“So we’re asking for lawmakers to pass the bill, and for the public’s help in supporting efforts to fight fraud,” said Gima.
Police urge everyone to look out for red flags and act accordingly.
“If they’re trying to get you to do something very urgent and threaten you with an arrest or threatening you with consequences, stop, remain calm and try to verify what’s happening,” said Nahale.
For more tips and information, you can visit HawaiiPolice.gov.
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