The Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division is issuing a warning about a recent series of phone scams involving student loans.

On July 1, an unknown suspect called a victim and advised that he qualified for a student loan. The caller encouraged the victim to return to school and explained that a “government program” would cover 80 percent of the cost. The suspect then asked the victim for the 20 percent difference. When the victim said he did not have the money, the suspect hung up the phone.

Two months later, the same victim was contacted by a suspect who identified himself as an LAPD captain. The victim later returned the call and heard a recorded message stating, “You have reached the Los Angeles Police Department, Hollywood Division. If this is an emergency, please hang up and dial 911, to continue in Spanish, dial 9.” When the victim pressed the number 9, the suspect answered by identifying himself as an LAPD captain. The impersonator instructed the victim to pay the “government” or a warrant would be issued for his arrest. The suspect also instructed the victim to cooperate and provided him with the number of an attorney (now considered the second suspect in the scam) to coordinate a payment plan.

Anyone with information is urged to call Dets. Tracey Benjamin or Orlando Martinez at (213)486-6840.