On June 9, 2025, an 80-year-old resident of Crossville received a deceptive phone call from an unknown individual posing as his grandson, “Jimmy.” The caller, sounding frantic and emotional, claimed to have been in a vehicle accident in Mexico, needing $1,500 for car repairs and urging the victim not to contact his mother due to alleged drinking.

The victim was instructed to wire the money to “Luis Solis Gil” in Guanajuato, Mexico, via Martino’s Pizza in Woodmere Mall, which he did. A second call followed, demanding another $1,500 for a supposed fine, leading to a second wire transfer to the same recipient. Later, the victim confirmed with his grandson’s mother that his grandson was in Florida, not Mexico, and had not requested money.

Additional calls came from someone claiming to be “Jason Moore” from the U.S. Consulate, demanding $1,700 (later reduced to $1,000) for alleged medical bills, which the victim refused to pay.

The victim reported the fraud to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, providing wire transfer documentation and noting he had shared his driver’s license and Social Security number. He was advised to monitor his accounts and credit reports closely.