All too often, people hear about scammers preying on people for a few bucks.
That’s what happened to one Action 4 News viewer.
“Marie” said scammers claiming to be associated to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), sheriff's and police departments in South Texas, tried to bank during a tragic moment
"The calls started within a few days of when (Immigration Customs Enforcement Special Agent) Jaime Zapata was murdered - that was a big red flag," the viewer said.
Marie said she got at least three calls in the past two weeks from men asking for money.
One caller claimed to be part of the Sheriff and Police Association of South Texas.
She said two others claimed to be with the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association of Texas working with CBP.
Marie said the callers were set on getting her money.
"He became increasingly insistent saying ‘you cant just give us five dollars?’ I said, ‘look I just can’t afford it right now,’” Marie recalled. “He said, ‘you can't just five dollars? Because you know it's very important that local law enforcement work hand in hand to protect local businesses.’"
Action 4 News did a quick search on the Internet for these associations but got no identical match. Action 4 News also went to CBP for answers about the alleged association.
"I can tell you that the United States government does not solicit funds from the private sector and there is no truth to this," CBP spokesperson Eddie Perez said.
Marie said she spoke-out because she doesn't want anyone falling for this scam, especially since the con artists are toying with an issue as serious as the battle against border violence.
"When they hear that (it’s for the) war on terrorism and the cartels, you know they are going to be more inclined to give money,” she said.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKGBT