Report scams to police

I would like to clarify some details that appeared in the Feb. 23 Chronicle story, "Scam targets off-campus residents," about an off-campus scam. To date, only one student has reported being approached by a well-dressed man who claims his car has broken down and asks for money. Though a number of stories have circulated at student meetings and on listservs indicating that there are several victims, we have not been able to confirm that information. Also, no one has notified our department or the Durham Police Department saying he or she was threatened with a knife in one of these incidents. Finally, we have no reason to believe that Duke students are being targeted in this scam.

The Duke University Police Department is asking that any students who may have fallen prey to the scam or have first-hand knowledge of any incidents to please contact our department at 919-684-2444. We urge all students-regardless of whether you live on-campus or off-campus-to exercise care and good judgment when approached by strangers.

Gloria Graham

Operations Commander, Duke University Police Department