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Jerome Grehl thought he was on Wells Fargo’s website when he tried to make a small online purchase for one of his grandchildren. What happened next nearly cost him $10,000.
“I noticed there was an extra $10,000 in my account,” Grehl said. “It wasn’t mine. I figured it was a mistake, and there was a number on the site, so I called.”
The man who answered had an accent Grehl described as possibly Indian or Pakistani. He told Grehl the money had been deposited in error and needed to be returned, but he wouldn’t accept a check. It had to be cash.
“I’m almost embarrassed to tell you this because I consider myself a pretty smart guy, but I was an idiot here,” Grehl said. The caller stayed on the phone as Grehl drove to Rochester and withdrew $9,800 in cash. At a convenience store, he tried to send the money through a transfer machine but struggled with the instructions.
“There was a guy next to me who said, ‘Buddy, you’re being scammed. That’s a load of BS,’” Grehl recalled. “That got me thinking. Maybe he was right.”
He told the scammer he couldn’t figure out the machine. The caller then told him to take the money home, box it up, and mail it to an address in Savannah, Ga. As Grehl began preparing the package, his wife walked in and asked what he was doing. When he explained, she immediately called the Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office.
A deputy arrived while the scammer was still on the phone. The deputy took the phone from Grehl and told the caller he was going to find out who he was and come after him. The line went dead.
“If it wasn’t for my wife and that officer, I would’ve mailed it,” Grehl said. “I still can’t believe how close I came. It’s shaken me. Now I get calls all the time about low-interest loans and other things, and I know they’re scams. But it makes me wonder how many others don’t catch on in time.”
Local Cases on the Rise
According to Rushford Police Chief Adam Eide and Fillmore County Sheriff’s Captain Dan Dornink, scams like the one Grehl experienced are becoming increasingly common and sophisticated, particularly those targeting the elderly. Eide said one Rushford woman tried to buy a gift for her grandson using PayPal when a pop-up claimed her account had been compromised. She clicked on it, allowing scammers to remotely access her computer, where they obtained her banking information and passwords. Someone later came to her home to collect cash in person.
“That’s the first time I’ve seen someone show up at a victim’s house,” Eide said. “They’re using people within driving distance to collect money now.”
Another case involved a woman receiving a call from someone who said, “Grandma?” She replied with the name of one of her grandchildren, who the caller claimed was in a Mexican jail following an accident. She nearly sent money before realizing it was a scam.
These so-called “grandparent scams” prey on confusion and urgency. Once the scammer has a name, they build a false emergency around it—asking the victim to keep it secret, act quickly, and wire money or send cash.
Romance and Crypto Fraud
Dornink said many of the largest financial losses now stem from romance scams and fraudulent cryptocurrency investments. Victims are often targeted through online chat groups, where scammers pose as love interests or financial advisors and slowly build trust.
“These people honestly believe they’re helping someone they care about,” Dornink said. “The scammers tug at their heartstrings and convince them to send money, often overseas. Once it’s gone, it’s almost impossible to get it back.”
In one case, a local resident selling farm equipment online received a check for more than the agreed amount. The scammer asked him to forward the extra funds to a woman in Virginia. After the check bounced, investigators learned the woman herself was being scammed – duped into acting as a “money mule” in a romance scam.
“She didn’t realize she was being used to launder money,” Dornink said. “These scams have multiple layers, with victims being used to pass money along. By the time we catch up, the money’s already overseas.”
Emotional Toll and Reluctance to Report
Both Eide and Dornink emphasized that many victims feel ashamed and never report what happened. Others don’t reach out until the money is already gone.
“They’re embarrassed,” Eide said. “Some don’t even tell their families. Others are angry and devastated.”
Dornink added, “Some victims come forward because they know the money’s lost but want to help prevent someone else from falling for the same trick. I always encourage people to talk about it.”
What to Watch For
Law enforcement agencies are working with local banks, gas stations, and retailers to spot scams in progress. In one case, a gas station clerk stopped a scam because the customer was on the phone and trying to buy large amounts of gift cards. The clerk intervened and asked questions, ultimately saving the person from a loss.
Still, many scams go undetected until it’s too late.
Signs You May Be
Getting Scammed
•The caller insists you keep the situation secret from your family, bank, or police.
•You’re asked to send payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency (like Bitcoin), or through a wire service like Western Union.
•The person becomes aggressive, threatening arrest, legal trouble, or harm to a loved one.
•You’re told money was accidentally deposited into your account and must be returned in cash.
•You’re pressured to act quickly or told you’re the only one who can help.
•The phone number appears local, but the caller refuses to give verifiable contact information.
•The person claims to be a relative or official but can’t answer basic questions without prompting.
•You’re asked to lie to your bank or family members about the transaction.
•You’re on the phone during the entire transaction, including at the bank or store.
•The opportunity or situation seems “too good to be true.” It probably is.
What Bankers, Clerks, and Cashiers Should Watch For
•A customer appears nervous, confused, or agitated while making an unusually large withdrawal or gift card purchase.
•The customer is on the phone while performing the transaction and appears to be following step-by-step instructions.
•The customer insists the money must be withdrawn or sent urgently and refuses to explain why.
•The withdrawal is inconsistent with the customer’s regular banking habits or financial behavior.
•The customer mentions needing to “repay” money, “help someone in jail,” or “send money to a friend overseas.”
•The customer asks to purchase large amounts of gift cards and becomes defensive or evasive when questioned.
•The customer requests unusual wire transfers or asks to send cash in the mail.
•The customer seems unaware of the full name, relationship, or situation of the person they are sending money to.
•The customer mentions secrecy, saying something like “I can’t tell anyone,” or “They told me not to talk to the bank.”
•Multiple gift card purchases in a short time frame, especially for specific amounts like $500 each.
A Community Response
Local law enforcement continues to give educational presentations at libraries, senior centers, and community events, warning residents about the latest scams and encouraging them to stay vigilant.
“If someone tells you not to talk to your family, that’s a red flag,” Dornink said. “If they want money, it’s a scam. Period.”
Grehl hopes that by sharing his story, others will be spared. “I almost mailed $10,000 to a complete stranger,” he said. “If this helps even one person think twice, it’s worth telling.”
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