Scam artist targets local TV reporter

And now for today's dumb criminal story -- someone who tries to scam a television reporter.

"I'm guessing the guy didn't believe me when I told him I was a TV reporter."

But unfortunately for that scam artist, Scott Johnson is a reporter for our news partner, Channel Four.

Johnson was en route to cover another story, when all of the sudden, he became the story.

During a Monday night newscast, Johnson played part of his conversation with someone who claimed to be with Publishers Clearing House.

In an interview with WOKV radio, Johnson says he knew that the name Publisher's Clearing House is used often in scams.

"At that point, some bells and whistles started to go off because I've done a number of stories on different types of scams over the years, and one of those involves Publishers Clearing House," says Johnson.

During the call, Johnson played along, knowing all along that it was a scam.

"As soon as he said, 'Okay, you need to go to Walmart and take out a certified check for $1500 to claim your grand prize,' that's when I knew for certain I'm being scammed."

At that point, Johnson told the caller, who claimed to be from Las Vegas, despite the caller ID displaying a number from Jamaica, that he was a TV reporter and that the conversation was being recorded.

"I said many times, 'You know, sir, this is a story.  We're recording you right now.  This is going to go on television.'"

Much to Johnson's surprise, the caller continued with his ruse.

"I don't care if you're a TV reporter," said the caller in a foreign dialect in a portion of the conversation that aired on Channel Four.  "I'm a secretary here.  I'm bigger than you.  My job's bigger than your job, okay."

"His story kind of fell apart as I pressed him with more questions," says Johnson.

After a while, the caller got fed up and disconnected the call.

"Come on, man. Stop wasting my time," the caller said.  "Get off the phone and stop wasting my time.  I don't have time to be wasting here, okay."

Johnson has one simple word of advice.

"If they ask for money, you know it's a scam."