VW sheriff warns of ‘property line’ scams

VW County Sheriff’s information

Van Wert County Sheriff Thomas M. Riggenbach is warning county residents about a potential scam involving property lines and boundaries.

Sheriff Riggenbach said Friday that, in the past few weeks, a neighboring sheriff’s office has taken reports in township areas involving male subjects approaching homeowners to inspect their property lines. In each situation, the suspect asks homeowners to step outside to walk their property lines. During one incident, the man stated he was with a governmental agency and, in another situation, indicated the neighbors were going to install a fence.

A homeowner reported the man proceeded to use his cell phone to call his “boss” while walking the property, and, during the conversation, the homeowner overheard the man say they were in the backyard.  After viewing the property lines, the homeowner discovered his residence had been entered and money stolen from one of the rooms in the home.

In a second incident, the homeowner noticed a second man enter his yard and walk towards the residence.  The homeowner immediately went back to his residence, at which point both suspects left the area.

Sheriff Riggenbach wants to remind the public that anyone working for a governmental agency or a utility company will have identification indicating what company or agency they work for.

Sheriff Riggenbach also advises residents who have contact with anyone under these type of circumstances to call his office at 419.238.3866.