Police warn about new scam targeting elderly residents on Long Island
NEW HYDE PARK, Nassau County (WABC) -- Police on Long Island are warning residents about a scam targeting the elderly.
It happened back in May in New Hyde Park in Nassau County.
According to detectives, an unknown man contacted an 85-year-old woman claiming to be her grandson.
He allegedly told the woman that he was involved in a car accident and injured a pregnant woman.
After explaining that he was arrested, police say the man gave woman a phone number for his lawyer and directed her to call.
She did and was instructed to make a payment of $9,800 for bail money and include an additional $1,200 to keep the arrest off his criminal record.
A woman then arrived at the victim's home to collect the money. Police say she was posing as a police officer in plain clothes.
At some point, the victim contacted her grandson -- who had not been arrested. It was at that point the victim said she realized she had been scammed.
"They were very convincing," she said.
Nassau County police say that after a thorough investigation, 25-year-old Maria Adames, of Copiague, was arrested.
Adames is facing a charge of third-degree grand larceny.
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