Over the past month, the Monterey Park Police Department has investigated two thefts by false pretense-fraud where the victims received a telephone call from a male suspect who has identified himself as an employee of Southern California Edison by the name of James Connor.
The suspect told the victims the electricity bill was overdue and the victim needed to pay the overdue balance to keep the electricity on. The suspect instructed the victims to purchase a Green Dot/Money Pak debit card for a specified amount and provide him the Green Dot/Money Pak account number along with the security code on the back of the card. The victims complied and later realized they were defrauded by the scheme and reported the crime to the police.
The Monterey Park Police Department Investigations Bureau is working with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and Southern California Edison to identify and apprehend the perpetuator. The MPPD would like to remind all residents and business owners to always verify account information with the proper utility company and or credit card company for current billing information, the status of your account and to be cautious if a business or company specifically request payment using a third party credit/debit card such as the Green Dot/Money Pak card.
If you suspect you may be a victim of this type of fraud and reside and or own a business in the City of Monterey Park please contact Detective Bob Hung at 626-307-1241 or Sergeant Gus Jimenez at 626-307-1487. If you reside or own a business outside of the City of Monterey Park and suspect you have been a victim of this scheme please contact your local police department to report the crime.
Media Contact
Sergeant Gus Jimenez, Monterey Park Police Department
gjimenez@montereypark.ca.gov
626-307-1487
www.MontereyPark.ca.gov
