The New Garden Township Police Department is investigating a theft from an elderly resident who lives in the Somerset Lake community.

The victim contacted the police after becoming suspicious of a phone call that was supposedly from the IRS.

The victim told police that on Dec. 14 at about 9 a.m., he answered a phone call from a person identifying themselves as an agent of the IRS and that the victim was going to be arrested by the IRS for tax evasion. The suspect then advised the victim that he could avoid prosecution if he immediately paid money that was due.

The suspect instructed the victim to remain on the phone while giving instructions to go to two financial institutions to withdraw money from his bank account. The suspect then instructed the victim to go to five different locations to send the money to a designated location through MoneyGram. After the final transaction, the victim’s losses amounted to more than $10,000.

Within an hour after the phone call concluded, which took place over an eight-hour period, the victim became suspicious and contacted the police. The victim added that the suspect called both his home number and cell phone number. The victim also said the suspect had a thick foreign accent.

Police advised anyone who receives suspicious calls to immediately hang up. The IRS will not call anyone and demand payment on the spot. Visit the police website at www.ngpd.org for crime alerts and tips.