York, Neb. — York County Sheriff Paul Vrbka is warning the public about a scam that cost a local man over $30,000 dollars.
The victim thought he was buying heavy equipment from an out-of-state dealer. He found the ad online and believed the company was real. However, the phone number he used did not belong to that business. He was talking to a scammer the whole time.
The business was not actually located where the online ad said it was. The man wired the money, but no equipment ever arrived. The gear did not exist, and the money is gone. Sheriff Vrbka said his office is now working with the FBI on the case.
The sheriff wants people to verify businesses before paying, by checking if a company is physically where they claim to be.
The sheriff says consumers can call the local chamber of commerce or use Google Earth to see the address. Another suggestion is to call nearby businesses to ask if the company is actually there.
Sheriff Vrbka urges consumers to check that the phone number is officially linked to the business before you call.
Because once the money is sent, it is often impossible to get back.
