CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Clarksville police have identified the scammer who has taken advantage of people in the Clarksville and Oak Grove areas.
The man has been identified as 43-year-old Mark Carr from Clarksville.
Police said several people responded to the scam alert. First, an off-duty detective was approached by the suspect with the same story at a local business and was able to collect photos. Two of the three victims positively identified him as the same suspect who approached them. The third victim could not be contacted.
Second, a Clarksville citizen shared a mugshot that matched the photos collected by the detective, which is how police discovered the suspect’s name.
Finally, the Oak Grove Police Department shared a similar story with photos of the suspect in August.
How the scam works:
In three different reports taken between the dates of Oct. 18 and Nov. 28, victims have stated that an individual approached them requesting $20- $40 so that he can travel to Nashville to see his wife, who had recently been transported there by emergency services. As a form of gratitude, he promised each of them a check for $800.
In each incident, the suspect and the victim met up and deposited the “$800” check. Immediately after depositing it, the suspect asked for another $200 – $300.
Each victim later discovered that the check that was deposited was only worth $1. All three victims were young males between the ages of 19 and 22.
Police urge the public to be suspicious of individuals asking to deposit their money into your account, especially an amount that is in excess of the amount required (an overpayment), and then asks you for some of the money.