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SLO County Sheriff issues warning after man scammed out of $700,000

scam alert

TEMPLETON, Calif. -- The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office issued a warning about a complex phone scam.

Deputies say they got a call on October 31st from a local bank about a possible phone scam involving an 88-year-old Templeton man.

The bank told investigators he withdrew large sums of money through wire transfers, cashier’s checks, and personal checks over the past few months.

He sent the money to various people.

A deputy spoke with the Templeton man to find out was happening.

The victim said he was told he had won a $3.5 million prize and two Mercedes- Benz vehicles.

The man told the deputy he had to withdraw the money from his bank to pay the taxes on those prizes.

He was also warned to not tell anyone that he had won the prizes.

Deputies say he was also coached on what to tell the bank to limit suspicion.

The man told the bank the money was a repayment for a loan from a person he had known for many years.

Deputies believe the victim sent around $700,000 over the past few months and was trying to send more.

The Secret Service placed holds on some of the bank accounts where the victim sent money.

Deputies say this time of year San Luis Obispo County typically sees a rise in phone scams.

Anyone who gets a call like this is asked to call law enforcement.

Article Topic Follows: Crime & Courts
prize
san luis obispo
scam
templeton

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