Lt. George Meadows
Special Operations Section
Bibb County Sheriff’s Office
Telephone: (478) 621-6890
Fax: (478) 621-6894
Email: gmeadows@co.bibb.ga.us
SARDIS CHURCH ROAD/HWY 247 CONNECTOR INFORMATION:
Click
on the link below to go to the DOT website
http://www.projectlifesaver.org/site/
Project Life Saver is a program which was developed for locating
and rescuing Alzheimer’s patients or other citizens with conditions that may
cause them to wander or become lost. The Pilot Club of
Check here periodically for events hosted
or attended by the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Section.
Reports
of copper theft are increasing nation wide and
Air
conditioning units; various parts of central units are made of copper…larger
commercial units with more copper have been targeted recently
Wiring
in abandoned or unoccupied houses and mobile homes
Electrical
contractors’ storage lots
Grounding
and wiring busses located around cell phone towers
New
construction areas
Telephone
and power poles
PREVENTION MEASURES
The
Bibb County Sheriff’s Office urges all citizens to take the following steps to
prevent this crime and bring thieves to justice:
Be
alert for suspicious activity around the following areas:
Abandoned
or unoccupied dwellings
Power
poles
Telephone
poles
Cell
phone towers
Electrical,
plumbing or air conditioning contracting facilities after hours
Isolated
areas where toxic smoke can be seen or smelt.
Report any suspicious activities and persons to law
enforcement.
Contractors:
do not leave large amounts of copper at new construction or project sites over
night and keep large stockpiles of copper items out of view of the roadway and
other areas adjacent to your storage area.
Copper
thieves will often build fires to burn the housing off copper wiring. Is there
someone in your area who always seems to be burning something with a toxic odor
and thick black smoke? This may be the tip we need to catch a copper thief.
Report this suspicious activity to law enforcement or feel free to email tips
to the Crime Prevention Section. The email address is at the top of this page.
Go to the sight below for tips on detecting counterfeit paper currency:
http://www.secretservice.gov/know_your_money.shtml
Description of an actual event in
A black male described as 6’03” tall and 300 pounds
accompanied by black female 5’05” tall 160 pounds conned a female victim out of
over $4,000 by offering to split $100,000 dollars in “found” money with her.
The money in these cases is comprised of paper clippings bound on either end by
real bills. The victim was talked into
withdrawing the funds from her account for earnest money. The female suspect took the victim’s money
and went into a bank located in the Tom Hill shopping area with the story that
she was going to get “new money” to replace what had been found. Of course the
suspect never returned with the victim’s money.
These scams are perpetrated most often on lone older female
citizens and the story can vary from con to con but the basic plan is the same:
dangle the opportunity to obtain a large sum of money easily. If someone
approaches you or someone you know in this manner, just say no thanks and keep
moving to the store. Once you are safely inside, make contact with management
or store security. Report the subject’s description and vehicle description
(with tag number) to law enforcement immediately.
One thing to remember is that converting found property to
your possession is called theft of lost or mislaid property.
A person commits the offense of theft of lost
or mislaid property when he comes into control of property that he knows or learns
to have been lost or mislaid and appropriates the property to his own use
without first taking reasonable measures to restore the property to the owner.
A similar scam was perpetrated upon a lone, older female
victim around the holidays at the beginning of 2005. The story then was that
the male con artist (complete with foreign accent) was a foreign national with
funds that he did not want to declare at customs. He and a female accomplice
talked the victim into withdrawing several thousand dollars from her account in
exchange for a larger sum offered by the male suspect. What is common
denominator? In each case the victim was offered an illegal or at the very
least shady proposition and went along with it. If your instincts tell you it
is wrong….again….just say no and keep moving. Then report it to law enforcement
as soon as you are safe. Criminals who prey on the elderly and the helpless are
the lowest form of humanity and the worst of cowards. Help us prevent them from
victimizing our citizens by educating your friends, neighbors and relatives.
Report this and all suspicious activity to law enforcement. If you have
information on this or other crimes, call the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office at
746-9441.
What a Deal!!!
The Perry Police Department
had a case involving a white male suspect driving a Cadillac. The unknown
suspect tells people he works for Wal-Mart and will produce a Wal-Mart ID badge
with the name "Steve" on it. He tells the victim that he has several
items (Televisions, Xbox's) over stocked and will sell them for cash money at
very low prices. The victim gives the suspect the cash and is told to wait,
while the suspect “gets the item out of the warehouse”. The suspect enters the
Wal-Mart entrance nearest to the victim and quickly walks to the farthest exit
where he gets into the Cadillac and leaves.
Burglars Posing as Power Company Employees:
Two white males arrived at the
home of an elderly South Bibb woman. One was older, one was young. They were
driving a tan colored van. The two introduced themselves as Georgia Power
Company employees and stated they were there to discuss the placement of
underground lines. While the older of
the two criminals distracted the elderly victim, the younger male entered and
burglarized the home. Warn your older friends, neighbors and relatives of this.
Advise them not to let strangers into their home or lure them outside. Homeowners in doubt of a visitor’s identity
should call law enforcement. Utilities
such as Georgia Power will be in plainly marked and easily recognizable
vehicles. Elderly citizens should keep the phone numbers of neighbors who can
arrive on short notice while law enforcement is on the way. Usually vermin like
this will flee when someone else arrives, however; citizens are advised against
confronting criminals. Be a good witness.
Try to notice details about the suspect’s vehicle such as: color, number
of doors, dents, primer spots, fancy wheels, loud mufflers, make, model and the
tag number. If they leave before law enforcement
arrives, try to get a direction of travel for the dispatcher.
CYBERSCAMS
(INTERNET
AND PHONE SCAMS)
PHONE SCAM:
This one is pretty slick since
they provide YOU with all the information, except the one piece they want.
Note, the callers do not ask
for your card number; they already have it. This information is worth
reading. By understanding how the VISA & MasterCard Telephone Credit
Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared to protect yourself.
One of our employees was called
on Wednesday from "VISA", and I was called on Thursday from
"Master Card".
The scam works like this:
Person calling says, "This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security
and Fraud Department at VISA. My Badge number is 12460. Your card has
been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This
would be on y our VISA card which was issued by (name of bank). Did you
purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497.99 from a Marketing company
based in
You say "yes".
The caller continues - "I will be starting a Fraud investigation.
If you have any questions, you should call the 1- 800 number listed on
the back of your card and ask for Security.
You will need to refer to this
Control Number. The caller then gives you a 6 digit number.
"Do you need me to read it again?"
Here's the IMPORTANT part on
how the scam works. The caller then says,
"I need to verify you are in possession of your card". He'll
ask you to "turn your card over and look for some numbers". ;
There are 7 numbers; the first 4 are part of your card number, the next 3 are
the security Numbers' that verify you are the possessor of the card.
These are the numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to
prove you have the card. The caller will ask you to read the 3 numbers to
him. After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say, "That is
correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and
that you still have your card. Do you have any other questions?"
After you say No, the caller then thanks you and states, "Don't
hesitate to cal l back if you do", and hangs up.
You actually say very little,
and they never ask for or tell you the Card number. But after we were
called on Wednesday, we called back within 20 minutes to ask a question.
Are we glad we did! The REAL VISA Security Department told us it
was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase of $497.99 was charged to
our card.
PHONE SCAM:
A client came into a local bank
saying she had received a phone call that morning, kind of like a telemarketing
call, but the gentleman on the phone said he was from the "bank", but
wasn’t specific as to which bank then stated he wanted to send her
"coupons". These could be used
for 70% off prescription drugs, 70% off of groceries, $100 worth of gas
coupons, made it sound too good to be true, but was insistent on getting her
routing number and checking account number. She did not give these. The caller actually
put another man on the phone to “verify” the call and authenticity of the
program, also stated he was from” the bank”, insisting they needed these
numbers quickly as it was a "special promotion and they had a lot of
customers to call". She did not
give them any numbers stating she didn't do anything over the phone, and they
abruptly hung up.
Do not give out any information
over the phone. Your best option is to hang up when you encounter a call like this
and notify law enforcement. If you have caller ID, write the number down for
the report.
Phone scams vary widely. The
intent is the same in each though. The caller is trying to obtain your personal
information so that he or she can obtain access to your money.
PHONE SCAM:
I Won a Contest?! And All You Need is my
Account Number!? Wow!!
A
“Travel Company” out of
The
company recently rang the home number of a local law enforcement officer and
she attempted to get his account number and routing number, but that
conversation ended quickly.
I have
said it before and it is worth repeating: never give out information to
callers. If you didn’t enter the contest, how did you manage to win? If it
sounds too good to be true, it most likely is.
PHISHING:
Phishing: In computing, phishing is a
form of social engineering characterised by attempts to fraudulently acquire
sensitive information, such as passwords and other financial account
information, by masquerading as a trustworthy person or business in an
apparently official electronic communication, such as an email or an instant
message.
The term phishing arises from the use of increasingly sophisticated
lures to "fish" for users' financial information and passwords.
Phishing is a term describing
illegal efforts to obtain personal information from prospective victims such as
checking account numbers, social security numbers and credit card numbers. Phishing can be done over the phone by impersonating a
trusted organization or via email by sending out counterfeit emails such as the
one below. Phishing attempts vary widely. Many are in
the form of emails (supposedly) from banks. Never respond to emails requesting
personal information. Do not click on the links provided in these emails. If the email happens to be representing a
bank that you have an account with or large organization such as EBay or Pay
Pal that you have patronized, it is simply a coincidence. These emails are mass
mailed by the thousands. Call your local branch manager if you are in doubt.
EMAIL
SCAMS
ACTUAL EXPERIENCE OF AN INTENDED VICTIM IN
THE MISSPELLINGS ETC. HAVE BEEN LEFT PURPOSELY IN CASE THE
READER RECEIVES A SIMILAR PROPOSITION. THESE SCAM ARTISTS WILL TYPICALLY USE
THE SAME MESSAGE REPEATEDLY AND CHANGE DETAILS AS NECESSARY.
INTENDED VICTIM: Good evening,
Just forwarding this to you to let you know that I had
been trying to sell 2 pieces of furniture on 'Craig's List' and received the
following reply. I knew this was strange and seemed very fishy and of
course it is. A really good friend of mine, who also receives your email
updates, suggested that I forward this to you just so that you could see it.
Thanks so much and I really think the email updates we receive are helpful and
informative.
-----Original Message-----
Sent:
Subject: Re: Headboard/Footboard - $200
EMAIL
FROM SCAM ARTIST REPLYING TO AD SELLING FURNITURE
Thanks for your response to my enquiry. I am to make the
shipping arrangement myself so dont be bothered.I also beleive the price
is perfect. We will be paying you by cheque which my
client will send to you immediately i have your details.Let your details include..
FULL NAME.. ......
ADDRESS..... .....
ZIP CODE..........
STATE... .........
TEL NUMBER. ......
LAST PRICE... ....
Please, be aware that the amount on the check is more than your asking price.The excess amount is for the SHIPPING + MY PROFIT as
an agent..You are to send me
back the excess amount when you receive the cheque.pls
i will Really be needing a
faithful and God's Fearing Person to deal with. I will be happy if my offer is
granted. Hope To Read From You soon
Regards.
INTENDED
VICTIM: On
Yes, it’s still
available. The King size headboard and footboard is $200.00 and the Sofa
Table is $70.00.
Thanks,
** CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY
--- AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY
** Avoid: wiring money, cross-border deals,
work-at-home
** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow,
shipping
** More Info: http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html
hello,
i just want to know if you still have your furniture
for sale, pls do get back to me with yoiur last asking price.
Robert
IF THE INTENDED VICTIM HAD ACCEPTED THE SCAM
ARTIST’S OFFER, THE VICTIM WOULD HAVE RECEIVED A COUNTERFEIT CHECK, DEPOSTITED
THAT CHECK, SENT THE REMAINDER BACK TO THE SCAMMER THEN A WEEK OR TWO LATER
DISCOVER THAT THE CHECK WAS NO GOOD AND THAT HE WAS OUT ALL THE MONEY HE SENT
BACK TO THE SUSPECT (NOT TO MENTION THE FURNITURE HE SENT).
THE COUNTERFEIT EMAIL MESSAGE BELOW IS AN
EXAMPLE OF PHISHING
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THE EMAILED LETTERS BELOW ARE ACTUAL EMAILS
RECEIVED IN
THEY ARE ALL ATTEMPTS TO DEFRAUD ANYONE WHO
MIGHT RESPOND
Partnership/Assistance.
From: Robert Mube
(Dr)
Tel; +31-619-785-084
Fax; +31-847-200-671
Email; robertmube@aim.com
Dear Sir,
This letter might come to you as a
surprise however, there is no need to worry, as we are using the only secured
and confidential medium available to
seek for foreign assistance/partnership in a business transaction. What is
more important is that, the mentioned
transaction will prove to be of mutual benefit to both parties involved.
I am presently in the
I am Dr. Robert Mube, a native of
I have decided to seek a
confidential co-operation with you in the execution of the deal described
hereunder for the benefit of all parties and hope you will keep it as a top
secret because of the nature of this transaction. Within the Department of
Mining & Natural Resources where I work as an Executive Accountant and with
the cooperation of four other top officials, we have in our possession an
overdue payment bills totaling Eighteen Million, Five Hundred Thousand U.S.
Dollars (US$18,500,000.00) which we want to transfer abroad with the assistance
and cooperation of a foreign company/individual to receive the said fund on our
behalf or a reliable foreign non-company account to receive such funds.
More so, we are handicapped in the
circumstances, as the South Africa Civil Service Code of Conduct does not allow
us to operate offshore account hence your importance in the whole transaction.
This amount (US$18.5m) represents
the balance of the total contract value executed on behalf of my Department by
a foreign contracting firm, which we the officials over-invoiced deliberately.
Though the actual contract cost
have been paid to the original contractor, leaving the balance in the tune of
the said amount which we have in principles gotten approval to remit by
Telegraphic Transfer (T.T) to any foreign bank account you will provide by
filing in an application through the Justice Ministry here in South Africa for
the transfer of rights and privileges of the former contractor to you. I have
the authority of my partners involved to propose that should you be willing to assist us in this transaction by way of providing the
required account in receiving these funds, your share of the entire sum
will be 30% amounting to Us$5.55Million of the US$18.5Million, 60% amounting to
US$11.1Million for us and 10% amounting to US$1.85Million will be used to
settle taxation and other miscellaneous expenses in the course of transferring
the funds to your account.
The Transaction itself is 100%
safe, on your part provided you treat it with utmost secrecy and
confidentiality. Also your area of specialization is not a hindrance to the
successful execution of this transaction. I have reposed my confidence in you
and hope that you will not disappoint me.
Endeavor to contact me immediately
through my secured email address robertmube@aim.com whether or not you are interested in
this deal. If you are not, it will enable me contact another Foreign
partner with similar recommendation to carry out this deal. I want to assure
you that myself and my partners are in a position to make the payment of this
claim possible provided you can give us a very strong assurance and guarantee
that our share will be secured and Please remember to treat this matter as very
confidential matter; because we will not comprehend with any form of exposure
as we are still in active Government Service and remember once again that time
is of the essence in this business.
NOTE: I know there may be scams
and junk mails flying here and there on the internet but certainly, this is not
one. Please do not fail to understand that inspite of
all that, opportunities of this kind still abound. If you have ever wished or
prayed for something good to come your way, now I urge you to take this message
seriously and with an open mind. You could never know. This may be an answer to
your prayers.So please give it a benefit of doubt,
and with good faith and trust join me and I am assuring you now that you will
never be disappointed. Please reply urgently and furnish me with your TELEPHONE
AND FAX NUMBERS for furtherdetails.
I wait in anticipation of your
fullest co-operation. I am available to entertain any questions concerning the
clarity of this transaction.
Yours faithfully,
Dr. Robert Mube
Note: If you are interested in assisting, Kindly Forward your full
Names, Personal phone/ cell and fax numbers to the confidential email
address/Phone and Fax numbers I have provided in the body of the proposal so
that I can give you more details
Greetings,
I am Mrs. Brandy Ritts I am a dying woman who have decided to donate what I
have to you. I am 59 years old; 2 years ago I was diagnosed for cancer,
immediately after the death of my husband Mr. Peter Gregory Ritts,
who has left me everything he worked for while in
I have been touched
by God to donate from what I have inherited from my late husband to you for the
good work of God, rather than allow my relatives to use my husband’s hard
earned funds ungodly. Please pray that the good Lord forgive me my sins. I have
asked God to forgive me and I believe he has because He is a merciful God. I
will be going in for the cancer operation any moment from now.
I decided to
WILL/donate an amount that will be disclosed to you later for the good work of
the lord, and also to help the motherless and less privilege and also for the
assistance of the widows.
At the moment I
cannot take any telephone calls right now due to the fact that my relatives are
around me and my health status. I have adjusted my WILL and my representative
is aware I have changed my will and he will arrange the transfer of the funds
to you. I wish you all the best and may the good Lord bless you abundantly, and
please use the funds well and always extend the good work to others.
Contact my representative who is in person of Mr. Mark
Johnson with this specified email; infomarkjohnson@netscape.net and inform him
that I have briefed you about the Will and he will inform you of the amount I
am willing to you for the good work. I know I don’t know you but I have been
directed to do this. Thanks and God bless.
NB: I will appreciate your utmost confidentiality in this
matter until the task is accomplished as I don’t want anything that will
jeopardize my last wish. And also I will be contacting with you by email as I
don’t want my relation or anybody to
know because they are always around me.
Regards,
Mrs. Brandy Ritts.
THE
COUNTERFEIT EMAIL BELOW IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF A PHISHING ATTEMPT
Notice the misspelling in red below.
From: Online Banking [online.banking@flagstar.com]
Sent:
To: undisclosed-recipients
Subject: Flagstar Bank is now Verified by Vusa
Importance: High
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Here are some
indicators of possible meth lab activity in your
area:
- Strong odors such as: (ether, ammonia, acetone or
other chemicals).
- Houses with covered (blacked out) windows.
- Residents who pay their landlords in cash. (Drug
dealers tend to trade in cash.)
- Frequent and temporary traffic at a certain address
(especially when it increases in the evening).
- Garbage including large amounts of items such as: anti