PUBLIC ADVISORY: TELEPHONE SCAMS INCREASING IN FABENS & TORNILLO

NEWS RELEASE

El Paso County Sheriff’s Office 3850 Justice Dr., El Paso, Texas 79938 Contact: Angelica Becerra / Public Information Officer    Office: (915) 538-2119 Pager: (915) 533-0733 (#5237) EMAIL: abecerra@epcounty.com Website: EPCSO.ORG

“We Serve With Pride”

EL PASO COUNTY, TX- The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents of El Paso County about the recent increase of telephone scams occurring in the Tornillo and Fabens, TX area. The caller’s method of operation is as follows:

1. CALLER- Calls the person and claims to be a family member (nephew) by addressing the person on the phone line as “TIO” OR “TIA” (uncle or aunt)
2. CALLER- Claims he (nephew) is detained at a Port of Entry by  “MEXICAN OFFICIALS” and provides accurate information to the caller convincing the person it is indeed a family member of theirs (i.e., correct name, vehicle known to be driven & additional family member names)
3. CALLER- Tells person a certain amount of money is required and needs to be paid so the family member can be released.
4. CALLER-Gives person instructions where to send/wire the money or a designated location to meet with another person and drop off the money.

The amount of money demanded by the CALLER (scammer) ranges from $400 up to $2000. The CALLER is requesting the person obtain the money in a form of a money gram/money order and either have it wired to another place in Mexico or delivered at a designated location just across the border (i.e., restaurant). The calls are known to take place on any day or time of the week.  Victims of the phone scam have described the voice to be that of a male claiming to be the “Mexican Official”. Victims have reported numbers on their caller ID’s to be 10-digit numbers.  

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is urging residents to report such incidents and be aware of these continuous scams. Should anyone in the community receive a similar phone call please contact the El Paso County Sheriff’s Dispatch: 

FOR EMERGENCIES DIAL: 9-1-1 / FOR NON-EMERGENCY DIAL: 915-546-2280

Safety Tips:

• VERIFY IN FACT THAT A FAMILY MEMBER HAS BEEN DETAINED WITH EITHER:
  • Local Law Enforcement
  • American Consulate/Consulate General of Mexico (915-533-4082)
  • Other family members
• IF YOU CONTINUE TO RECEIVE CALLS CONTACT YOUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY FILE A REPORT AND HAVE READY:
• Time & Day it occurred (how many times)
• Telephone numbers obtained
• What conversation took place
• The value lost as a result of the scam to include any documentation 
• DO NOT SEND money without verifying information

DO NOT FALL VICTIM TO A PHONE SCAM!!