Relative detainment scam targets Fresno residents
A scam targeting Fresno County residents is the the subject of a warning by Fresno Yosemite International Airport officials.
The scammers are calling residents claiming to be family members from Mexico who are being held by federal authorities at the airport.
People claiming to be lawyers or other officials will explain how family members can wire money to get their relative released.
The goal is to trick family members into sending money before they realize it’s a scam.
If someone calls claiming to be a family member being held by authorities, the airport recommends you validate the person’s identity, check with other family members to verify the relative is actually in distress, don’t wire money or send money by overnight delivery or courier and immediately report the possible fraud to local law enforcement.
Contact Troy Pope: (559) 441-6015, tpope@fresnobee.com or @troycpope on Twitter.
This story was originally published May 15, 2015 at 9:12 PM with the headline "Relative detainment scam targets Fresno residents."