Detectives with the Sandusky County Sheriff’s Office have uncovered an elaborate scam involving a man in a surgical mask. On the afternoon of Tuesday, November 19, 2024, this individual showed up at the home of Tom Kuss in Ballville Twp. outside Fremont and collected an envelope filled with thousands of dollars in cash. Kuss, who asked 13 Action News not to disclose the exact sum but described it as a significant part of his savings, shared his harrowing experience.

How the Scam Began

The scam started when Kuss's wife received a phone call that seemed to be from their 26-year-old grandson in California. Tom and his wife had a lengthy conversation with what turned out to be a fake caller. Kuss recalled, "I came out and I asked my wife, I said, 'Do you ’spose it’s possible that that wasn’t Mike?' This initial contact set the stage for the subsequent events.The scammer then informed Kuss that he needed bail money after being arrested during a traffic stop. Another caller claimed to be an attorney and instructed Kuss to go to his credit union and withdraw a large amount of cash. Kuss, in his concern for his grandson, called his credit union in advance and assured the teller that he was not under duress. He said, "At that time, I had blinders on. I’m thinking my grandson is in trouble and as a grandparent, you try to do things when you’re asked to."

The Money Collection and Disappearance

Within a few hours, someone pretending to be a courier showed up and took the money that Kuss had withdrawn. This money, which was a significant portion of his savings, is now lost and unlikely to be recovered. Kuss is sharing this story and the associated video to warn others in the area about the prevalence of such scams.In conclusion, this scam serves as a reminder to be vigilant and not to be easily swayed by such false claims. It shows how scammers can take advantage of people's emotions and sense of family to carry out their illegal activities. By sharing this story, Kuss and the Sandusky County Sheriff’s Office hope to prevent others from falling victim to similar scams.