St. Joseph County resident targeted in fraud scam

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Mich. - Deputies with the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Office are investigating after a resident was targeted in a fraud scheme by people claiming to need money to bail her grandson out of jail, according to reports.

The resident was contacted via telephone by someone who said they were her grandson and that he needed bail money after being arrested for a traffic offense, reports said.

Also on the call was a woman who claimed to be the "grandson's" lawyer out of New York who was representing the grandson in Michigan City.

The victim was told to pull $8,000 in cash for the jail bond.

Once she returned home with the cash, she was told to call the two again and a bail bondsman would arrive to collect the money.

Within five minutes of the call, a white man arrived at the victim's home in a 1990s or 2000s grey/brown Toyota Camry. After getting the money, the man left the residence in a hurry, according to reports.

The man is described as well-dressed, approximately 6 feet tall, thin, with a well-trimmed beard and between 30 to 40 years old.

The victim's actual grandson was contacted and he confirmed he was never arrested and had nothing to do with the scam.

The sheriff's office will not send deputies or bail bondsmen to your residence to collect cash.

If you think you're being scammed, call your local authorities before handing over any money.

Central Dispatch for St. Joseph County can be reached at 269-467-4195.