MILWAUKEE — Over the past few weeks alone, the Department of Justice reports that seniors across Wisconsin have now lost more than $100,000 collectively to a new scam that’s been sweeping the state.

“Law enforcement in Wisconsin has received several reports about these scams now,” Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul said. “We’ve received information that these scams have happened in both northeast Wisconsin as well as southwest Wisconsin, so we want to make sure that Wisconsinites are aware that this scam is out there.”

The DOJ said scammers target seniors and claim that a senior’s relative has essentially caused a bad crash and is now in jail. The relative needs to be bailed out and, assuming the senior’s gone along with the scam to that point, a person visits the senior in person to collect up to a $20,000 cash payment.

“Certainly part of the activity that’s been happening has been happening in the state,” Kaul said. “We will continue to look into this and hopefully hold the people responsible accountable. But in the meantime, we want to make sure that Wisconsinites are aware of these scams.”

Anyone who’s fallen victim to the scam, or something similar, or anyone who believes a loved one’s been targeted, should call local police or the Wisconsin Elder Abuse Hotline at (833) 586-0107.

Watch the full interview above.