HOLIDAY - A man masquerading as a detective swindled nearly $6,000 from an elderly Holiday woman earlier this month, the Pasco Sheriff's Office reported, and now investigators are seeking the public's help in catching the suspect.
The con artist, officials say, employed an all-too-familiar trick in scamming the 85-year-old woman. He telephoned her and said he was a police officer working on an investigation with a bank manager.
He told the woman that someone was trying to cash a forged money order in her name, officials said. He said he could ensnare the "crook" in a sting with the woman's help.
He told her to cash a check for $5,800 at the Wachovia Bank in Holiday. She was then instructed to bring the "marked money" to a "substation" at U.S. 19 and Darlington Road.
The woman showed up with the money, the man identified himself as a Pasco detective and flashed a sheriff's star, officials said. He took the money and told the woman not to contact law enforcement or her bank.
Then he vanished.
"This happens from time to time," said sheriff's spokesman Kevin Doll. "People need to be aware of it."
Officials did not release the name of the 85-year-old victim.
"If anyone ever tells you, "Don't call police,' be suspicious," Doll advised. "That's not the way law enforcement works."
Sheriff's officials on Tuesday released a composite sketch of the suspected swindler, described as white, 38-42 years old, clean-shaven, with short, straight blond hair and a medium build. He was last seen wearing a brown, striped jacket and brown pants, the officials said.
Anyone with information is asked to call property crimes Detective Jeff Peake toll-free at 1-800-854-2862, ext. 7488.
