DES MOINES, Iowa — Eight days passed without any sign of Krysta Franco’s beloved cat Charlie, when her phone rang. Within moments, she had hope again that she may get her pet of 8 years back, only to learn that feeling was based on a lie.
On the other end of the line was what Franco says was a scammer. The caller told her they were from the Animal Rescue League of Iowa and had her cat, but he had been hit by a car and needed emergency surgery. To start the procedure, the caller said Franco needed to make a “down payment” of $2,400. The ploy convinced her to send all the money she had available, $500, through the payment transfer app Chime.
But Charlie was not at the ARL or in need of surgery, Franco later learned. She was also not the only person that received a call like this…