The Fremont Police Department is investigating a phone scam in which an elderly local woman was persuaded to hand over cash and a cashier’s check to a courier at a fast-food restaurant on Mowry Avenue, officials said. The victim made multiple payments before realizing she was being scammed and reported the incidents to police on July 2.
How the scheme unfolded
According to the Fremont Police Department, the caller falsely claimed to be with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and told the woman she was taking part in a sting operation. She was instructed to withdraw funds or obtain a cashier’s check and deliver them to a courier at a restaurant on Mowry Avenue. The woman complied several times and ultimately lost several thousand dollars. The department said it does not have confirmed leads on the suspects.
Why these scams are hard to solve
Police noted that scams of this type are frequently difficult for local law enforcement to investigate because perpetrators often operate from other countries, complicating trace-and-recover efforts. Authorities also reminded residents that callers impersonating federal agencies will sometimes use high-pressure tactics and insist on secrecy to prevent victims from contacting friends, family or police.
- Victim: elderly Fremont woman
- Location: courier met victim at fast-food restaurant on Mowry Avenue
- Method: caller claimed to be FBI; instructed cash or cashier’s check handoff
- Reported: July 2
- Loss: several thousand dollars
Related warnings from police
The Fremont Police Department has previously warned residents about scammers impersonating city employees. In those cases, callers falsely identify themselves as workers from Planning, Building and Safety or other city divisions and try to extract payments for bogus permits or fines.
Police say these scams are often challenging because the perpetrators frequently operate internationally.
Authorities advise residents to be skeptical of unsolicited calls demanding payments or secrecy. If anyone receives a similar call, police recommend hanging up and contacting the Fremont Police Department to report the incident. Residents who have already complied with a request to hand over money should notify police promptly; timely reporting improves the chance of tracking transactions or identifying potential witnesses or surveillance footage at the drop location.
| What residents should do | If you already paid |
|---|---|
| Hang up on unsolicited callers demanding money | Report immediately to Fremont PD |
| Verify caller identity through official numbers | Contact your bank to stop or trace payments |
| Do not provide personal or financial information | Preserve any receipts or correspondence |
The Fremont Police Department did not disclose whether investigators have identified surveillance footage or other physical evidence from the Mowry Avenue restaurant. The department urges anyone with information about the scheme to contact the Fremont Police Department’s non-emergency line.
