Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry
Home
News
About
Contact Crime Stoppers
Crime Stoppers FAQ
Donate to Crime Stoppers
Submit a Tip to Crime Stoppers
Home  |  News  |  Elderly Berkeley County woman's life threatened by scam artists

Elderly Berkeley County woman's life threatened by scam artists

Share |
En Espanol

Saturday, November 16, 2013

BERKELEY COUNTY, SC (WCSC) - An elderly Berkeley County woman's life was threatened by scam artists this week after she contacted the police.

A Goose Creek officer's life also was threatened by the same people, according to an incident report.

Life was simple at the Cumbee household until late last week, when their phone started ringing.

Seventy five year old Ella Cumbee says the caller told her she had won a big prize but would have to send a money gram to get it.

She realized right away it was a scam.

"I said give the money to the poor," Cumbee told the caller.

But the scammers weren't about to give up.

"The next day they started again," Cumbee said.

Then the phone rang Wednesday, again telling the woman she had won a prize.

"I think it was $5.8 million and a Mercedes," Cumbee recalled hearing. "They wanted us to go to the CVS and buy a green dot re loadable card."

This time, Cumbee decided to play along with the scammers.

"On Wednesday we had enough."

The scam artists asked for Cumbee's cell phone number.

"Make sure we were in communication all the time and the phone worked," she said.

Cumbee gave them her husband's cell number, and they went to the pharmacy supposedly to get the card to pay for the prizes.

What the crooks didn't know is that Cumbee was going to get Goose Creek Police involved and they didn't like that.

"She started telling me you buy that card right now or I'm gonna kill you and I'm gonna put Ricin in your mailbox."

The elderly woman then handed the phone to the officer so he could hear what was being said.

"She abused him, threatening to kill him and his family," said Cumbee. "I think he told them we got an address. We're gonna check you out and stop bothering these people and he hung up, and we thought that was the end of it."

But it wasn't. Later that day the scammers called her again.

"And they called again and it started in again," Cumbee said.

Cumbee had her phone company block the scammer's number and they are hoping the calls will stop for good.

"We just don't want anybody to get in this trap. That's why we called Channel 5."

Goose Creek Police told us the number used to call Ella Cumbee was not traceable. Police say you should never give out your personal information over the phone unless you know the other person.

Source: http://www.live5news.com/story/23982880/elderly-berkeley-county-woman-turns-tables-on-scam-artists
If you, or someone you know, have any information regarding any crime, you are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers. You could earn a reward up to $1,000.

Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 554-1111, toll free at 1-888-CRIME-SC, or online at www.5541111.com. Texters can send anonymous tips to CRIMES (274637), and mark the beginning of the message with "TIPCSL". Text STOP to 274637 to cancel. Text HELP to 274637 for help. Msg&Data Rates May Apply.



   

Notice about comments:
Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Crime Stoppers does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.

Comments left on this site are NOT ANONYMOUS.

Crime Stoppers does not take information on crimes here or via standard email because we cannot guarantee your anonymity. Any information sent to us through comments will NOT be acted upon and will be removed. Please call 554-1111 or 1-888-CRIME-SC, or use our online tip form to give information anonymously to Crime Stoppers.

More Lowcountry Alerts

Find us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Subscribe via RSS Get updates by email. Connect with Crime Stoppers




DO NOT attempt to approach, detain, follow or arrest any individual based on this web site's information. As information becomes dated it may become less accurate. Because some wanted persons are being sought for crimes of violence, or are known to be armed, all wanted persons should be considered dangerous. If you have information regarding the identity or whereabouts of any wanted person immediately contact Crime Stoppers or notify your local law enforcement agency.

Site Design & Maintenance: CharlestonImage.com

CharlestonImage.com

© Copyright Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry. All Rights Reserved.