The Manning Police Department is warning elderly residents to be on the lookout for a financial scam within city limits.
Inv. Rick Elms said Wednesday that a 79-year-old woman living on Calhoun Street in Manning was the first victim the city is aware of.
According to reports, two unknown black women approached the woman Nov. 18, saying they had a box of cash. In this scam, the suspects offered the woman $20,000 - the alleged contents of the box - if she put up $400. The victim allowed one of the women to accompany her to First Palmetto Bank, where the victim removed the cash from her personal account.
The woman was then advised to go inside Cato's store and wait for a white male who never appeared. After about 30 minutes, the victim realized she'd been scammed and notified police.
Elms said Wednesday that the suspects appeared to be about 50 years of age. One was wearing black boots and leggings and had a black purse and a black-and-white jacket. The victim said she was not familiar with the ladies, but would certainly recognize them if she sees them again.
Elms said if it's too good to be true, then it likely is, and advised all city residents to be cautious when approached by those they don't know about financial endeavors.
