Lansdale Police Warn of Recent Taxman Scam

This time it really isn't the IRS asking for money.

Lansdale Police are warning residents of a taxman scam involving an individual claiming to be from the IRS.

The scam already claimed a victim in an elderly man of Wedgewood Drive, who was scammed out of more than $3,600.

On April 29, the resident came to Lansdale Police to report a fraud.

The victim told police that, for the past two weeks, he had been receiving calls from a 718 area code from a man identifiying himself as "Ron Davis," police said.

"Ron Davis" claimed he was with the IRS, which was looking to contact the victim, police said.

On April 26, "Ron Davis" told the victim that if he failed to pay $3,698 within 24 hours, local police would arrest him, take his passport and deport him, police said.

Fearing he would be deported, the vicim complied with the demands, police said. 

"Ron Davis" instructed the victim to transfer the money into Greendot MoneyPak cards, police said. A single Greendot MoneyPak card can be loaded with between $20 and $500 denominations.

After giving "Ron Davis" the card information, "Ron Davis" told the victim he needed to also send $2,580 for state and local taxes, police said. The victim told "Ron Davis" he was not able to pay that amount, police said.

After speaking with friends, the elderly victim was advised that it was possibly a scam, police said. 

Police contacted Greendot, who informed them that the money had already been withdrawn from the cards. 

Lansdale Police detectives continue to investigate the matter.