Hutchinson detective saves local businesses $1.37 million, earns global award nomination
Detective Pearson Schrag recognized for recovering funds in email scams as financial fraud rises
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Sign up freeHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Police Detective Pearson Schrag saved local businesses from losing $1.37 million to email scams, earning him a nomination for a prestigious international award.
Over the past eight months, victims have reported more than $10 million in fraud and theft to the department, reflecting a nationwide surge in financial crimes.
Schrag, who graduated from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center in 2022, recently intervened in two major local business email scams, successfully locating, freezing and recovering the full $1.37 million before any actual losses occurred.
His consistent efforts to retrieve stolen funds ranging from $50 to $1 million secured him a spot as one of just 50 nominees for the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators' Officer of the Year award. The nomination represents officers across Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa among a global network of more than 10,000 investigators.
Police Chief Brice Burlie praised Schrag's exceptional commitment, noting that convincing scammers frequently target the elderly and well-intentioned citizens who cannot afford the devastating financial impact.
While acknowledging the extreme difficulty of tracing frauds that originate outside the United States, Burlie emphasized the department's recent successes and urged the public to continue reporting suspicious activity.
The chief also commended Officer Stephen Jackson for his previous tireless work investigating financial crimes before transferring back to patrol duties.
To help prevent further losses, police advise residents to talk with elderly family members about common scams, be extremely cautious of offers that sound too good to be true, and independently verify any sudden requests for wire transfers or gift cards before sending money.
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