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Man posing as Homeland Security agent scams Columbus woman out of thousands of dollars

COLUMBUS, Ind. (WISH) — Columbus police are investigating after a woman was scammed out of thousands by a man posing as a government official.

The incident happened when a man called the woman and claimed to be an agent with U.S. Homeland Security.

The man then told the woman that if she did not go to the grocery store and purchase several thousand dollars in iTunes gift cards, that she would be arrested and have her immigration papers examined. After purchasing the gift cards and providing the man with the PIN numbers, the woman then contacted the Columbus Police Department.

The man was aware of some of the victim’s personal information such as her social security number.

If you have any information on this incident, you are urged to contact the Columbus Police Department at 812-376-2641.