Neighbor News
Oxford Crime Log: Fake FBI Phone Scams Presents Problems
Police warn: Caller pretending to be an FBI agent is calling students across the country
Scott Sutton
Miami University Journalism Student
The Miami University Police Department is warning students locally about fake calls being made across the country targeting college students.
Find out what's happening in Oxford-Miami Universityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The scam goes like this: The caller claims to be an FBI agent demanding repayment of school loans and tuition. And while there have not yet been any reports in Ohio, the calls have become an issue for the FBI’s Pittsburgh Division.
The scammer targeted residents around that region. The caller knows the name of their intended victims and threatens them with arrest and not graduating from school if fees are not paid.
Find out what's happening in Oxford-Miami Universityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Miami University Chief of Police John McCandless wants students and faculty to be smart about the issue.
“There are all kinds of scams that have come and gone,” said McCandless. “We make our community aware of it and we hope people use their heads a little bit when they get calls like this.”
Underage Drinking
Two students, a male and a female, were found unconscious in two different areas the weekend of Sept. 20, police reports said.
The man, who's name police withheld, was found passed out in the 400 block of E. High Street on Sept. 20. He was wearing a pink wrist band from Brick Street bar, 36 E. High St. and was in possession of a fake New Jersey driver's license. He has been charged with underage drinking, disorderly conduct, and prohibition acts.
Just four days later, Sarah Trippy, 18, was found passed out in the restroom in The Woods bar, 17 N. Poplar St. Trippy is a freshman at Miami.
The bar staff called 911 and the student was taken to McCullough Hyde Hospital where she received medical evaluation.
Counterfeit Money
Police were called to the Oxford Taco Bell, 36 Lynn St. on Sept. 23rd on a report of customers attempting to use fake money. Two women came through the restaurant’s drive-through lane and tried to purchase a drink with the money. They were confronted by Taco Bell employee, Jeffrey Leonard, 23, and quickly fled the scene, according to Taco Bell staff.
The suspects were identified a short time later. A juvenile was cited for forgery and released to her mother.
-- Officials are warning students to be wary of fake FBI phone calls targeting college student. Photo by Scott Sutton