MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) – The Manitowoc Police Department is notifying the public of a phone scam that recently affected one rural resident.
Police Captain Larry Zimney says the woman received phone calls on back-to-back days from someone claiming to be Chief Deputy Rob Barbier.
The scammer told the woman that Manitowoc officers were working with the New York Police Department to catch the people responsible for a series of scams in the Manitowoc area. She was further instructed that the scammers were trying to obtain a $600,000 payout from her late husband’s life insurance policy.
To help catch the scammers, the person posing as Deputy Barbier asked the woman to send $900. She was told she would be eligible for the life insurance payout if she financially aided in locating the criminals.
After receiving the phone call, the woman contacted the Manitowoc Police Department to speak directly with Deputy Barbier. As a result, she learned it was a scam and did not lose any money in the case.
Manitowoc Police remind residents that they never ask for money to investigate a case.
If someone receives a suspicious contact from anyone claiming to be a police officer, they are encouraged to end the phone call and then call the law enforcement agency directly to speak with that officer or a supervisor.
Officers also encourage people to monitor elderly family members activity to ensure they do not fall victim to a scam, as the elderly are often targeted.
Similar scams have recently been reported in the greater Green Bay area.
