4 ms·

Many years ago, I had a police detective call me about an active investigation. He wanted to come over to visually verify that I had something in my possession.

Many years ago, I had a police detective call me about an active investigation. He wanted to come over to visually verify that I had something in my possession. I was suspicious, and he totally understood. He said, "go look up the phone number for <police station in jurisdiction> and ask to speak with detective so and so, badge number ZZZ".

bsamuels 7y ago
Did you actually look it up and call the number?
- localhost 7y ago
  Yes I did. And a couple of days later, 2 detectives showed up, verified the item was in my possession and went on to the next person on their list. Incidentally they also marked the item by etching a number on it to make sure that they didn’t see it again, i.e., to rule out my cooperating with the person they were looking for.
  - majortennis 7y ago
    what was it?
    - natpalmer1776 7y ago
      I would guess a firearm of some sort, as that's the only thing I can think of that would: 1.) be relevant to a police investigation 2.) be registered or associated with individuals 3.) have few enough of an exact thing in an area for the manual checking to be effective
itronitron 7y ago
you can also just call 911, tell them it's not an emergency, and ask them to connect you to the police station
- iends 7y ago
  I advise not being lazy and consuming emergency services if you can help it.
siffland 7y ago
Awesome. Always ask for a call back number. My dad was in his late 70s and fell for stuff like this. I beat the notion into his head, if in doubt ask for a call back number. If they they refuse to give it, it is a scam....period. 7 years was not enough for ruining peoples lives.
chillwaves 7y ago
Here is a scam example of your anecdote that happened to a family member of mine, who was taken in for hours by "Police" in China (she speaks Mandarin). They even spoofed the number of an actual police station and said, "Google the number on your caller ID to see we are legit". Obviously, call them back yourself.

bsamuels 7y ago

Did you actually look it up and call the number?

localhost 7y ago
Yes I did. And a couple of days later, 2 detectives showed up, verified the item was in my possession and went on to the next person on their list. Incidentally they also marked the item by etching a number on it to make sure that they didn’t see it again, i.e., to rule out my cooperating with the person they were looking for.
- majortennis 7y ago
  what was it?
  - natpalmer1776 7y ago
    I would guess a firearm of some sort, as that's the only thing I can think of that would: 1.) be relevant to a police investigation 2.) be registered or associated with individuals 3.) have few enough of an exact thing in an area for the manual checking to be effective

itronitron 7y ago

you can also just call 911, tell them it's not an emergency, and ask them to connect you to the police station

iends 7y ago
I advise not being lazy and consuming emergency services if you can help it.

siffland 7y ago

Awesome. Always ask for a call back number. My dad was in his late 70s and fell for stuff like this. I beat the notion into his head, if in doubt ask for a call back number. If they they refuse to give it, it is a scam....period. 7 years was not enough for ruining peoples lives.

chillwaves 7y ago

Here is a scam example of your anecdote that happened to a family member of mine, who was taken in for hours by "Police" in China (she speaks Mandarin). They even spoofed the number of an actual police station and said, "Google the number on your caller ID to see we are legit". Obviously, call them back yourself.