SIOUX FALLS (AP) – Authorities say an elderly Sioux Falls man was tricked out of about $550,000 in a phone scam.
A man claiming to be with the Internal Revenue Service called the victim and told him that drugs were found in a car he owned, police spokesman Sam Clemens said. The 82-year-old man was instructed to send money to resolve the issue, Clemens said.
He sent a total of $550,000 through money wires and gift cards, the Argus Leader reported.
The man was told by the scammers to not discuss it with anyone, Clemens said. A family member was concerned and called police to report it.
Clemens said IRS officials do not communicate through the phone and if it was a serious matter they would not say to not discuss it with anybody.
