Scam alert issued
for Bay County

     In this scam, the woman approaches the intended victim with a sad story of needing help to buy over the counter medicines or baby items, preying upon the good will and kindness of the intended victim. When the victim agrees to help, the scammer goes into the store with the victim and selects the items to be purchased. The items are the most expensive over the counter medications and baby items, like expensive formula and baby monitors. Once items are selected, the two go to a self-check out register. When it comes time to purchase the items and the victim’s debit card in placed in the machine, the scammer distracts the victim and covers the amount of the purchase on the screen from the victim’s view. The amount of the purchase is often hundreds of dollars.

     Next, the scammers take the items and go to another Wal Mart and the man returns the items in the store. Since the purchases were made with a debit card, the store returns the purchase amount in cash. While the man returns the items, the woman approaches additional intended victims to perform the scam all over again.

     The couples are moving through Bay County and also into Alabama, according to law enforcement in Foley, Alabama. The scammers all appear to be in their 20s or early 30s, dark hair and brown eyes. They speak in broken English with a thick Eastern European accent, possibly Romanian.

     Victims are often embarrassed when they realized they have been taken advantage of, and hesitant to report the crime. If you have been victimized, please contact the Bay County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 747-4700. Please share this information with elderly family or friends that could be targeted in this scam.