Scams targeting seniors in Milwaukee County increasing
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Jermont Terry reports Video by 620wtmj.com
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WEST ALLIS- A warning from law enforcement in Milwaukee County: scams targeting seniors are on the rise.
Recently, three seniors on a West Allis block were victimized on the same day. Police told TODAY'S TMJ4 the scam starts with a single knock to the door and ends with valuables stolen from homes.
With the warmer temperatures, people are opening their doors. But a warning from Greenfield police: a group of men is trying to come inside the doors of seniors living alone.
"They will try to get in somehow by any means necessary," said Greenfield Police Detective Dane Berghammer.
The traveling scammers knock on doors posing as repairmen or utility workers. The moment someone answers -- the scam is on.
"And once they're in the house they will distract that person, and other people will go through the house and very rapidly steal items," said Detective Berghammer.
The alleged crimes started back in May in Greenfield near S. 103rd St. and W. Norwich Ave. They quickly moved into West Allis near S. 91st St. and W. Harrison Place; now seniors living on the southwest side of Milwaukee have had cash and valuables stolen.
While the scam isn't new, police believe the crooks have a new method of picking their victims.
Investigators said the thieves are looking for seniors out shopping and the scammers follow them home, eventually knocking at their front door.
The scammers kept one Greenfield couple from calling for help once they got inside.
These scammers are considered drifters who moved quickly, but they've also been know to be dangerous.
"They've had incidents from other states of people getting beat to death," claimed Detective Berghammer.
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