PORTAGE (WKZO) -- It’s an old scam with a brand new refinement.

Portage Police say victims receive a phone call from someone claiming to be your nephew Mike or cousin Louise and they are hysterical because they are out of the country and have been arrested and need bail.  Everyone sounds the same when they are hysterical, and they hand the phone off to someone who explains the situation.

They talk you into sending thousands of dollars and once it’s over the border, its gone and never coming back.  The whole time nephew Mike was in his dorm room and you have been taken for thousands.

Portage police say they can be very believable and persuasive.  If you get such a call, just hang up and call the police.  Whatever you do don’t send money.