MERCER COUNTY Police report 2 more attempts at scams on residents

The caller pretends to be a relative or old friend in an attempt to get money.
SHARON, Pa. -- Police said two more city residents were nearly the victims of a telephone scam that has taken money from three people recently.
The scam surfaced more than a week ago.
Police said the victim, usually an older or elderly person, gets a phone call from someone purporting to be a relative or old friend asking for money to buy medicine or some other need.
The caller, always a woman so far, tells the victim that she can't come to the victim's house but will send someone to pick up the money.
In each of the three successful cases, a black woman showed up at the door and took the cash, police said.
Two unsuccessful cases have come to the attention of authorities.
What happened
One occurred Sunday with a 64-year-old North Oakland Avenue woman getting a call around 5 p.m. from a woman who said she was one of the intended victim's favorite people and asked her to guess her name.
The intended victim came up with the name of a person and the caller then claimed to be that person, asking to borrow $113 for medicines for a bad cold.
The intended victim's husband learned of the call and offered to take the money to the person they thought had called.
However, when they checked with that person, the couple learned she hadn't called or asked for any financial assistance.
Police said an 82-year-old White Avenue man got a similar call around 4 p.m. Wednesday from a woman claiming to be an acquaintance and asking for money to buy cold medicine.
Police said the man was prepared to help until the woman called back and asked for directions to his home.
The man became suspicious and began asking questions and the caller hung up, police said.