SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an unusual phone scam involving a 19-year-old college student.

According to Salina police captain Paul Forrester, the Kansas Wesleyan student became involved last month with what he hoped was way to make some money with an online dating-companion service SeekingArrangement.com.

When the student signed up, the online firm would pay him $400 a month to act as a phone companion.

The suspect suddenly needed money for friends who were in need. The 19-year-old victim sent the scammer money orders totaling $3,384  to help before finally calling police.