Incident:   2103022374

Type:   FRAUD-NOT IN PROG 

Time Received:  

Status: COMPLETE

Service: POLICE

NLCRPD Patrol District Assignment:  03/21/2021 13:00:31 

Primary Agency: NORTHERN LANCASTER COUNTY REGIONAL POLICE DEPARTMENT

Responsible Unit:  P86-8

Incident Location:  1700 BLOCK KEITH LANE

Municipality:  PENN TOWNSHIP

Cross-Streets:  KAREN AVE/CHRISTINE AVE

On Sunday, March 21, 2021, at approximately 13:00 hours NLCRPD was dispatched to a fraud that was reported by a resident in the 1700 Block of Keith Lane in Penn Township.  

The complainant informed police that they had been contacted via phone by the “World Bank”. The complainant reported that the caller gave instructions that $10,000 cash needed to be mailed to the bank and indicated that the money would be refunded at a later date. The reason given was unclear.

Further instructors were sent to the complainant via text message with instructions on how and where to send the money. The cash was to be shipped to Richmond, Texas.  As instructed the complainant sent the currency via a national carrier service.   After the currency was sent, the complainant became suspicious they had been the victim of fraud and called the police.  

Officers initiated an immediate investigation, contacted the carrier service, and were successfully able to intercept the package. On April 2, 2021, all currency was accounted for and returned to the victim in this case.

WARNING TO ALL RESIDENTS: Results, as in this case, and recovery of money in many scams is not typical. Any request to send or deliver cash, money orders, gift cards, or other similar methods of payment through mail delivery services is always an immediate clue that the request is likely fraudulent.  The NLCRPD encourages residents to research any solicitation of funds BEFORE committing to sending money to an unconfirmed source. Residents are encouraged to contact the NLCRPD or the Office of the PA Attorney General in the event of attempted fraud.