Grandparents scam making rounds in Wichita

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A sophisticated scam is making the rounds in Wichita, costing one woman more than $8,000.

Pat Hoppman fell victim to what’s called the “grandparents’ scam.” Someone calls pretending to be a relative, asking for money to get them out of jail. But this time, there was a twist, and it is something experts say is concerning.

“I really thought I was talking to the real people,” said Hoppman

It was a scam in which the caller claimed to be Pat Hoppman’s grandson.

“This guy said, ‘Grandma?’ and I said, ‘Yes?’ but I wasn’t sure. I’ve only got one male grandson who calls me. I wasn’t sure who it was, and I said, ‘Is this Christian? He said, ‘Yeah,'” Hoppmann said.

The scammer told Hoppmann that he was in jail and needed money. He even told her to call a police officer to verify.

“He said the officer who has my case is David Branch. He’s in the 11th precinct, he said,” said Hoppman.

She called, and the man told her it was true and that someone would pick up the $8,500 from her house to get him out of jail.

“Grandparent scams are not new,” said BBB’s Vice President of Operations Denise Groene. “This particular one has a different twist; somebody actually showed up to the consumer’s house to obtain the funds.”

Chris Hoppman, Pat’s daughter, says it could’ve been worse, but she’s just glad her mom is okay.

“The fact that they had the gall to show up at her house, they found her address, and they showed up,” Chris said. “He could’ve hurt her, he could’ve killed her, he could’ve beat her. I mean, the fact that she is okay.. and .. just the fact that she’s okay.”

The police are still working on the case, and Pat is still out $8,500 dollars. Groene advises to call their loved one first and make sure that it is the real person on the other end of the phone.

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