BEATRICE – An alert bank employee in Beatrice helped head off an attempt to steal money from a resident of rural Liberty.

Gage County Sheriff’s officials say the resident got a phone call Wednesday morning from a person claiming to be a police officer in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, saying the resident’s daughter had been arrested in a motor vehicle accident and that a pregnant female had lost her baby in the accident.

The victim did not notice, however, that the call was coming from a local number.

The suspect said the bond was $220,000 and asked the victim about coming up with $22,000.

The victim then went to Security First Bank in Beatrice to withdraw the money…and was to call the suspect back, after the withdrawal.

An assistant branch manager was able to determine and explain to the victim that it was a fraudulent scheme.  They also were able to contact the victim’s daughter…who confirmed she had not been arrested.

Law officers encourage people not to fall for such schemes that play on emotions or threaten arrest or jail time.  Rather, call a financial advisor, another family member or law officers.