Someone claiming to be police officer “L.T. Moore” called a Darien resident who was told fines were due for legal violations. The victim sent almost $2,000 to the scammer, Darien police said.
According to police, the caller demanded cash or cash equivalents be paid and recommended digital gift cards. The victim complied. Digital gift cards can be used over the phone if information from the card is provided to the receiving party.
By the time the victim reported the incident to police on Monday, Aug. 5, the victim’s money and the thief had both disappeared.
Don’t Let It Happen to You
This phone scam is so common it could be called “classic,” and it’s been used to victimize many people, including numerous Darien residents over the years. A demand comes from from a police officer, IRS agent or other official to wire money or get gift cards — and do it immediately — is a typical feature of the scam and a tip-off that the caller is a scammer.
Another tip-off is that the demand comes over the phone — neither police nor the IRS nor any other official (even a bank officer or someone demanding a bill payment) demands an immediate payment over the phone.
(Police did not say whether the caller or the victim was a man or a woman or what time or day the call was made or reported to police.)