The voice on the line is warm and reassuring. He knows your name and gives his name, too. After establishing a rapport, perhaps with a joke, he tugs at your heartstrings — and purse strings — for causes like veterans funds, help for families of slain police officers, and first-responder support associations. Can you donate?

Matthew Perri, a thirty-one-year-old server from South Elgin, Illinois, gave roughly $500 to Honoring American Law Enforcement after receiving such a call in May. But instead of going to police, most of his money likely ended up in the swelling coffers of a notorious Las Vegas telemarketing king behind bars for fraud.

“I had no idea about that, and I’m very upset,” Perri said, only realizing the group was questionable after the Lever contacted him about his donations. “Oh my gosh, I’ve been scammed.”