Gresham Elder Loses $40,000 to Fake Jury Duty Scam

The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office confirms that a 79-year-old man in Gresham has lost $40,000 in a phone scam involving a false jury duty fee. The case remains open with no current leads, and investigators state the victim likely will not recover the funds.

Tarisa, the daughter of the victim, says the incident occurred on Sept. 23. Her father texted her that he was busy and could not be reached. By evening, Tarisa noticed the pattern was unusual and drove to his home in East Gresham to check on him. The house was empty. She contacted the Sheriff’s Office immediately.

When her father returned home, he explained that scammers on the phone told him he had missed jury duty and owed a fee. Bank statements showed he withdrew cash at two different locations. He then deposited the money into a Bitcoin machine in southeast Portland. The total loss stands at $40,000.

Tarisa says the fraudsters kept her father on the line for several hours. She describes the mental strain on the family as lasting beyond the financial hit. "The effects of this go far beyond the money. It has created so much stress," she said. She also noted that the financial consequence is significant.

Investigators have received additional evidence via email from Tarisa. A spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office confirmed receipt of the materials. The department says the case is active but currently has no leads. Tarisa expressed concern that the scammers know there may be little recourse for victims.

The victim has not received his money back. Tarisa hopes the case prompts others to be cautious when discussing money or personal information over the phone. She emphasizes the need for support for older adults who may be unaware of these tactics. "It’s really important to have someone else that you can turn to and talk to," she said.