Inmate impersonates funeral home owner to scam grieving widow out of $1,200

Investigators traced the fraudulent call to a state prison 200 miles away.

(CNN)- Kevin Wetzel, owner of Memorial Park Funeral Home, says he’s used to helping families through some of the most painful moments of their lives. But a recent phone call from a grieving widow left him stunned.

“She lost her husband, she came to the funeral home to make arrangements,” Wetzel said. “She called me later and asked, ‘Kevin? What is it you’re needing?’ I said, ‘What do you mean?’ She told me I had just called asking for money. I said no, no, no… we would never do anything like that.”

Investigators say the call didn’t come from Wetzel at all. Instead, it was made by inmate Mark Rosas, who was allegedly impersonating the funeral home owner from a state prison nearly 200 miles away. Authorities say Rosas demanded $1,200 for “liability insurance,” claiming the funeral would be delayed unless the payment was made. The widow, already overwhelmed with grief, sent the money through Zelle.

Wetzel said scammers appear to have scanned local obituaries and targeted the family shortly after the death was announced. “They must have gone to our website, saw our names and called pretending they were us,” he said. “It’s unbelievable.”

The Hall County Sheriff’s Office traced both the call and the fraudulent transaction back to Rosas. Hall County Coroner Marion Merck condemned the scheme harshly.

“I have no respect for people who take advantage of others in the worst hour of their lives,” Merck said.

Wetzel says he now urges families to be extra cautious and reminds them that no legitimate funeral home will ever ask for money over the phone or by text.