Retired couple in northeast Nebraska loses ‘life savings’ in online fraud scheme

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A northeast Nebraska couple lost $100,000 after being “deceived” in an online fraud scheme.

The Stanton County Sheriff’s Office said a retired couple got a pop-up on their computer saying there were “illegal materials” on the device.

So, the couple called the listed number, and the scammer convinced them to withdraw $100,000 from their bank in Norfolk.

They followed “strict directions” by buying gold coins and delivering them to the scammers, according to the sheriff’s office.

The couple waited months before telling their children of the theft.

“No one should ever give or release any funds or anything of value to unknown persons based on internet claims or threats of jail if they don’t cooperate,” the sheriff’s office said in a press release.

An investigation is ongoing, and officials are seeking help from the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office and the FBI.

“This educated retired couple was scared and in fear of going to jail if they did not go along as directed and now they struggle with the fact that their life savings is gone, most likely forever,” the sheriff’s office said.