The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a phone scam that resulted in an elderly La Pine resident losing more than $57,000 after being tricked into believing she was helping her neighbor.
On the evening of September 9, 2025, deputies were dispatched to Ray’s Food Place in La Pine regarding a possible scam. Deputy Aaron Alexander learned that the victim had been contacted earlier in the day by suspects claiming to be her neighbor and was attempting another financial transaction at Ray’s. The suspects told her they had been in a car crash and needed money to get out of jail.
Believing she was assisting her neighbor, the victim withdrew large amounts of cash from her safe and followed detailed instructions from the suspects to deposit the money into Bitcoin kiosks at multiple locations across La Pine and Bend. Over the course of the day, she completed multiple transactions totaling $57,200 before a concerned neighbor intervened and contacted law enforcement.
The suspects used multiple phone numbers to call the victim, disguising their voices and providing convincing details to gain her trust. Phone numbers used during the scam included:
- (480) 945-4638
- (318) 745-9571
- (410) 705-0537
- (786) 987-3621
Deputy Alexander assisted the victim in filing a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Receipts from the transactions have been collected as evidence, and the case has been forwarded for further investigation. The Sheriff’s Office commends the quick action of the victim’s neighbor, who recognized the scam and contacted law enforcement before additional losses occurred.
Protecting Yourself from Phone Scams
The Sheriff’s Office urges community members to remain vigilant when receiving unexpected phone calls asking for money, especially when payment is requested through gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. If you’re being asked to transfer money via cryptocurrency from someone you don’t know over the phone, detectives say it’s most likely a scam and recommend the following:
- Verify the caller: Hang up and contact your friend, relative, or agency directly using a trusted phone number.
- Do not share personal information: Never give out your address, date of birth, bank account, or Social Security number over the phone to an unverified caller.
- Recognize red flags: Scammers often create a sense of urgency, demand secrecy, or insist on unusual payment methods.
- Report suspicious calls: Contact law enforcement and file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center: www.ic3.gov
The case remains under investigation. If you have any information that could help or know someone who has experienced a similar scam, please contact the Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at (541) 693-6911. You can also file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center: www.ic3.gov
