A potential scam call backfired on a caller when they were asked to make a prize exchange in person Wednesday.

Chief Deputy Wes Tripp of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office said a citizen in the Roanoke Rapids area received a phone call from a person with a foreign accent saying they won a prize of more than $8,000.

The potential victim was told to buy a pre-paid credit card for $500 and then call 954-380-4647 when they returned to complete the prize deal.

A deputy called the number several times and got a recording that the Magic Jack customer was unavailable. While the deputy was still on the scene, however, the caller called back and asked whether the card had been purchased.

While the card had not been purchased, the potential victim said it had and was instructed to give a 14-digit code on the back for verification. This would have also put the money in the caller’s account.

Tripp said the caller was advised by law enforcement to instruct the caller to come in person to retrieve the number and exchange the prize. The caller became irate and after the deputy spoke with the caller the line was disconnected. The case remains under investigation and Tripp advises, “That people should be very careful when giving information over the telephone. When in doubt, don’t do it.”