On August 3, 2020 at approximately 2340 hours HCSO was contacted by the Grandson of a 79-year-old Hempstead County Resident and advised that his grandmother was scammed.

Upon arrival Deputy made contact with the 79-year-old victim, who stated that a subject called her around 1:30 P.M. and identified himself as her grandson. The Victim stated that the subject told her that he was in jail in Hempstead County for a drug charge.

The victim said that she told the subject that he did not sound like her grandson, but the caller told her that he had a cold. The victim said that she then told the caller that she needed to speak with who was in charge and a subject who identified himself as Samuel Ross got on the phone. The victim stated that she was advised that she needed to go get 3,000.00 dollars on Lowe's gift cards to get her grandson out of jail. The victim said that the man who identified himself as Samuel told her that her grandson could get out at 5 P.M.

The victim said that she got the cards and called back around 4:30 P.M. and was told that her grandson was in a holding cell and she needed to call back at 9:00 A.M. the next morning the victim stated that she asked who the judge was and Samuel told her that it was Judge William Green. The victim also stated that Samuel also told her that he was an attorney.

The victim told deputies that she got 3 Lowe's gift cards with 1,000.00 dollars a piece on them. And advised that she gave Samuel the numbers on the cards. The victim advised that the number Samuel called from was 780-905-0645.

Please be aware that Hempstead County Sheriff's Office and Detention Center will never request that anyone go get a Lowes card or ask for another nontraditional form of payment of a fine or bond. If any citizen receives a call like please confirm that the call is coming from a detention center or Law Enforcement Agency. Deputies and Detention Officers will be glad to confirm their identity.

This type of scam is happening often, I want the citizens of Hempstead County to be aware of this type of scam and remember if you're in doubt about the identity of the person (s) calling hang up and call your local law enforcement agency We will be glad to help