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U.S. Coast Guard Zeroing In On Serial Prank Caller From Maryland

BALTIMORE (WJZ)--The U.S. Coast Guard is working to find a man they say has been calling in fake distress alerts for the last 2 years.

The Coast Guard tells WJZ whoever is making these calls is getting bolder now making multiple ones a night.

"Mayday, mayday, mayday," says the prank caller.

A voice the Coast Guard tells WJZ they want the public to zero in on. The problem: it's all been a hoax

WJZ has been reporting on the issue since it began back in 2014.

The false alarm calls have cost the Coast Guard about half a million dollars.

Money a prank caller would have to pay back on top of facing up to six years in prison, and hefty civil and criminal fines.

But it all pales in comparison at the real threat behind fake distress calls.

"It could cause the potential loss of life for someone else who really is in harm's way," said Lt. Cmdr. Sara Wallace, with the U.S. Coast Guard.

"If you're out there doing these distress calls, please stop because it puts all of us in danger," said one boater.

The Coast Guard tells WJZ they are zeroing in on the caller.

A man somewhere between the Loretta Heights and Admiral Drive in Annapolis.

Unfortunately, it's a problem that goes beyond one caller.

"I'm sinking, I'm sinking, I repeat, I'm sinking  I'm sinking," said another prank caller.

The Coast Guard's investigative service is asking anyone who might know who this person is to contact them.

 

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