LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – An old scam targeting the valley’s Jewish community is finding new victims.
Religious organization Jewish Nevada said its members started getting messages from an “Edaan Brook” Friday. He claims to be Jewish and asks for $400 to make rent this month.
His messages reference other valley organizations and synagogues to be more convincing. Jewish Nevada’s President and CEO Stefanie Tuzman sent an email warning members about the decades-old scam, but not before several members sent money.
“We were able to stop it by sending out the email Saturday night and then several members of the community were replying to me, thanking me that they had gotten messages from him but had not sent anything,” Tuzman said.
Now, several members are out of hundreds of dollars.
“Our first inclination, our first reaction is to want to help. It’s what we do everyday. It’s who we are as a people. I was surprised that people didn’t do a little bit more research like reach out to Jewish Nevada to question whether or not this was a gentleman that we knew or that we had tried to help before,” added Tuzman. “It’s working to some degree and I think that’s why it makes a comeback. These people know exactly what they’re doing and how to get what they want.”
Jewish Nevada helps its members in need and does not use apps if they need assistance. If anyone is worried if the messages they are receiving are real, Tuzman said give the organization a call and report the scam to police.
Copyright 2024 KVVU. All rights reserved.