Photo erroneously identifies persons of interest in ‘Grandparent’ scam

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) - A photo distributed Friday of two potential suspects in a grandparent scam showed two people not associated with the crime.

Around 12:30 p.m. Friday, a message posted to the Crime Stopper’s Facebook page read:

POST CORRECTION: the persons in the photo that was previously attached to this post are not associated with this crime. We apologize for the miscommunication.

Marathon County Crime Stoppers(Marathon County Crime Stoppers)

During the week of May 5, the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office took three reports of a scam targeting elderly residents throughout the county. The total loss from the three victims that have reported this scam was approximately $84,000.

During this scam, the victim receives a phone call where someone claiming to be a police officer claims their grandchild was involved in a crash and bail money is needed. A second person posing as an attorney for their grandchild gets on the phone and gives more information and requests bond money. A third person claiming to be their grandchild then gets on the phone as well. The scammers know the names of the grandchild and their victim. A person then showed up at the victim’s home and collected money then the victim is contacted again later asking for more money.

One person has already been arrested.

If you have any information regarding this crime or have information on any other crimes, please contact Marathon County Crime Stoppers at 877-409-8777.