08/11/2022 | News release | Distributed by Public on 08/11/2022 09:29
Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn is issuing a warning about a reported scam that recently victimized a resident in the Town of Lancaster. Perpetrators commit this crime, commonly known as the "grandparent scam," by using various tactics to emotionally manipulate their victims in order to fraudulently obtain money while hiding their true identity.
Last week, the victim, a male in his 50's, received a phone call from an individual who claimed to be his child. The caller stated that they had been arrested following a vehicle collision, which resulted in injury to another person. The caller asked the victim for cash for bail. After the initial call, the victim received a second phone call from a person who claimed to be a bail bondsman who would send a courier to pick up the money from the victim. The scammer obtained approximately $9,200 in cash.
Erie County residents have also reported being contacted by scammers who falsely claimed to be:
Scammers tend to target elderly individuals who may be more vulnerable to this crime. While it is unclear how these criminals obtain their victims' phone numbers and other personal information, DA Flynn warns residents exercise caution on social media.
Tips to protect yourself to avoid becoming the victim of a scam:
Anyone with information on this reported incident or who has been a victim of a similar crime is encouraged to their contact local law enforcement agency or Erie County District Attorney's Office Special Investigations and Prosecutions (SIP) Unit at 716-858-2424.