Police Seek Man Who Impersonated Officer

Authorities are searching for a man who impersonated a police officer in a ruse to swindle money, officials said Thursday.

The man, who identified himself as a police officer, called the secretary of a local company official Monday and told her that her boss had been involved in an auto accident and needed $880 wired to him by MoneyGram, Costa Mesa Police Capt. Tom Lazar said.

The man who made the call said he was an officer working on the accident and was calling on behalf of the company official, police said. After wiring the money, the secretary learned that the company’s chairman “had not been involved in an accident and was not in need of any money,” Lazar said.

“She contacted the MoneyGram office and learned the $880 had been picked up about 20 minutes after it was wired,” Lazar said.

Police issued a public statement following the incident, warning residents that “no law enforcement agency would ask to have money wired for the benefit of any person.”