Lincoln man gave $40,000 to ‘government informant’ in fraud scheme, police say

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A Lincoln man lost $40,000 in a fraud scheme involving a person posing as a federal inspector, police say.

On Saturday, a 27-year-old man reported the fraud scheme to the Lincoln Police Department.

A person who identified themselves as a Federal Trade Commission inspector had called the victim.

They told the victim he was wanted for money laundering, according to police.

To prove that his money was “legitimate,” the caller said they needed to “verify his money,” police said.

The victim was told the money would eventually be returned via a cashier’s check.

Police said the victim withdrew $40,000 and met with a “government informant” in the Hy-Vee parking lot near 50th and O streets.

The victim gave the money to a man, who was wearing a mask and sunglasses and driving a black Honda Accord.

An investigation is ongoing.  Anyone with information is asked to call police at 402-441-6000 or Crime Stoppers at 402-475-3600.

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