A Wichita bank employee noticed something was wrong before an elderly man lost $50,000 to a caller pretending to be a government official.
The man was trying to withdraw the money when Wichita police were called for a welfare check, according to KAKE.
The caller had allegedly convinced him he was part of a secret mission to help catch hackers.
The bank recognized the danger before the money left the account. Officer Liedl with the Wichita Police Department responded, spoke with the man, and then tried to speak directly with the person on the phone.
The Caller Claimed He Was Helping Catch Hackers
In a video shared by Wichita police officials, Officer Liedl can be heard asking the caller who he is speaking with.
The caller hung up after the officer identified himself as police. Wichita police said the scammer had posed as a government official and told the man he was on a secret mission to help catch hackers.
The Bank Saw The Problem Before The Money Was Gone
Wichita Police Officer stops elderly man from losing $50K to scam caller: https://t.co/ho0LQg0JXR #KAKEnews @SydneyDoesNews
— KAKE News (@KAKEnews) June 19, 2026
The bank’s reaction may have prevented a $50,000 loss.
Police said the man was attempting to withdraw the money to send to the scammer when the bank recognized he might need help. A teller, banker, family member, or officer who asks one direct question can interrupt the script before the victim finishes the transaction.
The Scam Used Authority And Secrecy
The caller did not simply ask for money. Police said he posed as a government official and framed the withdrawal as a secret effort to catch hackers.
That combination is common in high-pressure imposter scams. The caller claims to represent authority, says the victim’s money or identity is in danger, and then gives instructions that sound urgent. The victim may also be told not to speak with anyone else because it would supposedly ruin the investigation.
No real government agency needs a private citizen to withdraw $50,000 to help catch criminals.
Wichita Police Say Scam Losses Are Already Above $8 Million This Year
Wichita police said scammers have stolen more than $8 million from people in the city this year, and that figure only reflects the losses authorities know about.
The department said scammers pretend to be law enforcement, banks, government agencies, or family members in trouble.
The Federal Trade Commission says banks, government agencies, and law enforcement offices do not tell people to move, withdraw, or transfer money to protect it. The FBI also says it will never call or email private citizens asking them to move money by wire transfer, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or prepaid cards.
No Secret Investigation Starts With Your Cash
Anyone who gets a call like this can end the conversation before the withdrawal begins. The next call should go to the bank through the number on the back of the card, a statement, the bank’s official app, or the bank’s verified website. If the caller claims to be law enforcement, the person can call the local police non-emergency line or the agency’s public number and ask whether there is a real case.
If someone is already at the bank because of a caller’s instructions, the safest move is to tell the banker exactly what the caller said before taking out cash. Bank staff can pause the transaction, contact a supervisor, and request police help while the money is still in the account.
Anyone who already withdrew money, sent funds, shared bank details, or followed instructions from a caller should contact the bank immediately, file a police report, and report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If the caller claimed to be from the FBI or another federal agency, reports can also be filed with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov.