After a Great Bend woman turned over $50,000 to a man who claimed he was working with Microsoft and her local bank, the man came back looking for more money. This time the police were waiting and a suspect was arrested, Great Bend Police Chief Steven Haulmark said. Haulmark issued a news release Tuesday afternoon about the incident first reported on Wednesday, Oct. 30.
“The victim reported being contacted by an individual who claimed to be employed by Microsoft and who said that he was working with the victim’s local bank. This suspect convinced the victim that multiple bank accounts and personal information had been compromised. The suspect told the victim that she would need to provide money to correct the compromised information and coerced the victim into withdrawing money and then relinquishing the money to a delivery driver. A total loss of $50,000 was reported during this incident,” the news release stated.
“The following day, the individual claiming to be employed by Microsoft made additional contact with the victim, requesting that the victim secure more finances, again stating that this was necessary to rectify the compromised accounts.
“Great Bend Police Department Detectives immediately began investigating this incident. They met with local financial institutions, bank employees, and intercepted phone calls related to this investigation. During the conversations, the suspect directed the victim to have a package ready for pick up. Detectives were able to stage in a location where the incident was to take place. At that location, Nathan W. Greenwood, (age) 42, of Traverse City, Michigan, arrived and took possession of a package from the victim. Greenwood was arrested and charged with theft by deception and mistreatment of an elder person by false pretense. Greenwood was transported to the Barton County Detention Center and booked in lieu of bond.”
Jail records show he was booked on Oct. 31 and released on Nov. 1 after posting a $50,000 surety bond.
Haulmark noted this investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with any information in reference to this case is urged to contact the Great Bend Police Department at 620-793-4120 or Crime Stoppers at 620-792-1300 or online at p3tips.com.
