The Fremont Police Department in California warns that Indian Americans are being targeted by scammers posing as IRS agents.
Police warn that that South Asian Americans are being told they owe 9-thousand dollars to the IRS and are scared into thinking they will lose their visa or their passports if they don’t pay immediately.
The victims are advised to wire the money immediately.
Police say the calls began over the weekend and continued into the week.
Some of those who have received calls have been threatened with arrest.
Authorities say if you receive such a call to call your local police immediately and don’t pay anyone until you confirm you really owe the money.
The scam is similar to one earlier this year in which callers posed as workers for PG&E and demanded back payment of utility bills.