The Better Business Bureau is warning local residents to be wary of a new scamming trend occurring throughout the region.
Victims of the new scam have been approached in grocery store parking lots by individuals claiming to be from another country and asking the victim for a ride to their lawyer's office. During the car ride, the scammer explains that he or she has recently inherited a large sum of money and is interested in donating it.
Sometimes the scammer will request that the victim drive to another nearby location to pick up a second scammer. The victim is then offered half of the money if they promise to donate it later. The scammer convinces the victim to withdraw money from the victim's local bank in order to prove that the victim is trustworthy. The scammer then talks the victim into handing the money over, and flees.
This scam began in Eastern Washington and has spread west. Two incidents occurred in King County Safeway parking lots in June alone. The scammers seem to be targeting senior citizens, but the BBB is warning all local residents to be wary of strangers asking for money or a car ride, as it is most likely a potential scam.
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