Man caught in rip current dies

A man who ran into trouble in waters off a Makaha beach was pronounced dead yesterday at the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center.

Witnesses said the man, who appeared to be in his 60s, was caught in a rip current and pulled away from shore in waters off the Makaha Beach Cabanas condominium complex off Lahilahi Street, said Bryan Cheplic, spokesman for the city Department of Emergency Services.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Kauai police warn of e-mail, phone scams

Kauai police are alerting the public about recent phone and e-mail scams.

"Unfortunately, a few people have fallen prey to these hoaxes, so we wanted to warn the public about them," Kauai Police Chief Darryl Perry said in a news release.

Last month, police warned residents about a scam targeting seniors. A caller poses as a grandson of the victim and says he is in financial straits in Canada. The "grandson" asks the person to send a money transfer, promising to pay the money back when he returns home.

Kauai police learned after they sought assistance from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police that the so-called "grandson phone scam" is prevalent in Canada.

E-mail scams are also resurfacing, one of them originating in South Africa, in which the scammer requests help to claim funds in a dormant multimillion-dollar account.

The scammer requests the target’s name, address and telephone or fax number to establish a secure online account in the person’s name, enabling access and transfer of money.

To report a fraudulent call, e-mail or any suspicious behavior, call Kauai police dispatch at 241-1711.