PPD helps stop one scam, warns of another
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, March 31st, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – A new scam targeting senior citizens and one that zeroed in on a marijuana business have been foiled recently in Pendleton.
Silvino Mata-Abarca, 31, of Hood River came close to ripping off Thur’s Smoke Shop for an undetermined amount of cash over the weekend. A man who allegedly claimed he was the owner’s attorney called and asked an employee to take all the money in the safe and bring it to a nearby location. Police Chief Chuck Byram said other employees thought that didn’t sound right.
“They called Bryson Thurman, who responded and was able to get there just as the exchange happened and took his money back,” Byram said. “The individual in the vehicle fled. As officers arrived on scene, we were able to stop the vehicle.”
There’s another scam law enforcement agencies throughout the area are reporting targeting senior citizens. A man claims to have kidnapped a person close to the victim as a woman accomplice screams and cries in the background. The caller demands a ransom in the form of e-gift cards.
“Anybody that’s calling and demanding payment for something like this means it’s usually a scam,” Byram said. “If they start talking about Apple i-Tunes gift cards or anything like that, then you definitely know it’s a scam.”
