A Fort Wayne resident was contacted via telephone  by a person who claimed to be a Canadian Customs agent.  The "agent"  reported that they were coordinating a transfer of money (Canadian Lottery winnings) that was being directed to the Fort Wayne resident.  The "agent" claimed that the victim had to first pay Canadian taxes on the winnings, before it could continue through the U.S.-Canadian border.  
 The Fort Wayne resident wired the requested amount.

The following day, another person called the victim claiming to be a U.S. Custom's agent. The "agent" told the victim that the money had cleared the U.S.-Canadian boarder and had arrived in the United States (Chicago), but that there were additional U.S. taxes that had to be paid, before the money could be delivered to Fort Wayne.

Fortunately, the victim became suspicious and checked with the police before wiring the additional money. It was determined that the incident was a clever scam.   The victim lost several thousand dollars.   

The "agents" involved in the incident have not been identified, and it's doubtful that they will be charged.  The victim did not ask enough clarifying questions of the "agents," and they used evasive measures to complicate the tracking the money trail. 

NEVER send money to anyone based solely on a telephone call.  If the offer sounds too good to be true, it should raise suspicion in your mind.  Whenever in doubt, tell the caller to call you back in a couple hours, then quickly call the Better Business Bureau and/or the Detective Bureau for their advice. 

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