La Pine Resident loses over $57,000 in ‘Neighbor in Distress’ phone scam

LA PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a phone scam that cost an elderly La Pine resident more than $57,000 after she was tricked into believing she was helping her neighbor get out of jail.

Deputies were called to Ray’s Food Place in La Pine on the evening of Sept. 9, 2025, for a possible scam in progress. Deputy Aaron Alexander learned that the victim had been contacted by suspects earlier in the day. The suspects, who disguised their voices and used multiple phone numbers, claimed to be her neighbor and said they needed money to be released from jail after a car crash.

Believing the story, the victim withdrew large amounts of cash from her safe. The suspects then gave her detailed instructions on how to deposit the money into Bitcoin kiosks at various locations in La Pine and Bend.

Over the course of the day, the victim completed several transactions totaling $57,200. A concerned neighbor intervened and contacted law enforcement, preventing further financial loss.

The phone numbers used by the suspects included:

• (480) 945-4638
• (318) 745-9571
• (410) 705-0537
• (786) 987-3621

Deputy Alexander helped the victim file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Authorities collected receipts from the transactions as evidence, and the case has been forwarded for further investigation.

The sheriff's office commended the victim's neighbor for their quick action.

Protecting Yourself from Scams

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is urging residents to be cautious of unexpected phone calls that ask for money, especially if payment is requested through unusual methods like gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.

Detectives say it’s most likely a scam if you're being asked to transfer money via cryptocurrency to someone you don’t know over the phone. They recommend the following:

• Verify the caller: Hang up and contact the person or agency directly using a trusted phone number.
• Do not share personal information: Never give out your address, date of birth, bank account, or Social Security number to an unverified caller.
• Recognize red flags: Scammers often create a sense of urgency, demand secrecy, or insist on unusual payment methods.
• Report suspicious calls: Contact law enforcement and file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

The investigation is ongoing. If you have any information or have experienced a similar scam, contact the Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at (541) 693-6911. You can also file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Note: The information in this article was provided by the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office.