A Farmingdale grandmother was scammed out of over $40,000 dollars by a Manhattan man who claimed that her grandson was in trouble. Nassau County Fraud and Forgery detectives say that a 95 year old woman received a phone call on July 20,2020 from a man who pretended to be her grandson and said he had been arrested. The victim was then informed that someone would be sent to pick up $8,500 needed for his bail. When the unknown male arrived, the victim handed over an envelope containing $8,500. The victim was contacted again the next day and told more funds were needed. On two separate occasions on July 21, 2020 an unknown male arrived to pick up an envelope containing $12,000 and $20,000. The victim called police to file a report when she realized she was the victim of an elder scam.
On July 22, 2020 the victim was contacted by an unknown subject stating an additional $14,000 US currency was needed. A subsequent investigation ensued and detectives coordinated a controlled delivery of the funds. When the defendant Misael Romero, 27, of 271 West 113th Street, Apartment 5B, arrived to pick up the money, he was placed under arrest by detectives without incident.
Misael Romero is charged with Attempted Grand Larceny 3rd Degree. He will be arraigned on July 23, 2020 in Mineola.
Detectives request anyone with information regarding this crime to contact the Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.
