Scams Target Unaccompanied Minors' Kin

The Federal Bureau of Investigations has uncovered two similar scams targeting the families of unaccompanied child immigrants attempting to cross the border. U.S. officials are warning loved ones to steer clear of schemes where an individual posing as a representative from a non-profit “requested assists in processing and reuniting the children with their families,” said Special Agent Michelle Lee. In another scheme, the scammer used “caller I.D. Spoofing” to make it appear as if calls were coming from a San Antonio business. The callers asked the impoverished Central American families for $300 to thousands of dollars, claiming to cover travel expenses for their children. Lee said the total number of victims has not yet been determined. The U.S. is currently struggling with a surge in unaccompanied minors attempting to cross the border with 90,000 expected to have arrived this year by the end of September.