The impounded/imprisonment scam is one of the oldest in the book. It is known as the "Spanish Prisoner" and has gotten money out of people for about a century. You cannot cheat someone who is not looking for an edge or, in this case, a large reward. Greed often gets what it deserves. The phone game is another trip. Never allow anyone to use your phone without doing the dialing yourself. It is not a sure protection but it is all you have. You could also check with Information as suggested. It is nasty to be ripped off for doing the right thing.