DOUGLAS COUNTY — A group of four suspected scammers tried to make Walmart stores in Lawrence their next target, but the responding police officer called in the Kansas Highway Patrol to catch up with them and put an end to their travel plans, according to Lawrence Police.
A Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper, at the request of a Lawrence police, pulled the group over on Interstate 70 just west of Bonner Springs about 10:30 Tuesday night.
Lawrence Officers then traveled to the scene and found suspected stolen merchandise, more than $6,000 in cash, numerous potentially fraudulent receipts, and evidence that the spree spread through the Kansas City metro area.
It began when officers were dispatched to Walmart on 33rd and Iowa in Lawrence about 9:30pm. The store’s alert asset manager told the officer he knew something was suspicious and had knowledge of similar scams.
We will detail the suspected deception here hoping it arms retailers with information to combat the elaborate scam.
Here’s how it works: The purchaser uses a fake card with specific instructions on the back. One of the cards in this case read, “ATTENTION: If cardholder exceeds daily limit for future transactions cashier must follow 2 step verification: SCAN ALL items, Input EXACT AMOUNT + ENTER to complete transaction.” It is our understanding that the purchaser then only partially slides the card into the payment device and when the cashier presses cash, the drawer opens and a receipt is printed. The cashier then believes the transaction is successful. Several variations of the scam likely exist -- all intended to intimidate and fool cashiers.
During Tuesday night’s interaction, four men approached a variety of cashiers with separate purchases and with returns including receipts. Some purchases were completed and some were not. As cashiers became suspicious, they contacted the asset manager. The manager got a description of the vehicle the men left in and called dispatch.
In total, the group left with about $4,400 worth of cash and merchandise.
The responding officer immediately alerted his fellow Lawrence officers and the Highway Patrol to be on the lookout for the vehicle. Officers ultimately learned that the men were in a car they rented in Michigan. They also recovered receipts worth thousands of dollars from various stores around Kansas City and another Lawarence Walmart. LKPD is in contact with the corresponding police departments and the investigation continues.