Scam Alert: This Man Targeted Irvine Area Target Shoppers

IRVINE, CA—Two "elderly" victims were the target of a recent fraud scheme, Irvine police said on Tuesday. Surveillance images were released of a "person of interest" in the case.

The two women were cheated out of $12,000 by someone calling each of them and masquerading as their grandson, claiming to be in "trouble" and needing cash, according to Kim Mohr of the Irvine Police Department.

The victims—whose names and ages were not disclosed—bought Target gift cards as instructed by the thief and then relayed the card numbers over the phone, Mohr said.

"A man police are seeking to question was seen in surveillance video images at Target stores in Irvine trying to redeem the gift cards," said Mohr.

Anyone with information was asked to call detectives at (949) 724-7180 or (949) 724-7178.

Photo, courtesy Irvine Police Department.