(Herkimer, NY – Nov. 22, 2013) The New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Herkimer have recently investigated two incidents of telephone scams directed towards elderly females in the Herkimer County area, one in the Town of Herkimer and one in the Town of German Flatts.
In one incident an individual identifying himself as the victim’s grandson, indicated that he had been arrested in Mexico and needed bail money in order to be released. The scam was not discovered until the victim had wired $3,000 via Western Union to Mexico.
In the second scam a male subject identified himself as a police officer, claiming that the victim’s grandson had been arrested, was found to be in possession of drugs and needed bail money in order to be released. This scam was not identified until the victim had wired $3,800 to an unknown subject in New York City. In this second scam the caller knew the actual name of the grandson.
Local residents are warned against sending any money to someone that they do not know and particularly via Western Union or Moneygram, which are the preferred method of obtaining money used by out of the area scam artists. Once this money is picked up it is almost impossible to recover.
The perpetrators of these crimes are extremely difficult to prosecute due to the fact that they are in most cases located outside the United States. Potential victims should be aware that these criminals may be in possession of personal information, making them appear to be legitimate.
Anyone receiving such a call should contact the State Police BCI at (315) 866- 7275 immediately with the details prior to wiring any money. A BCI investigator can usually determine within a very short period of time whether or not the caller is legitimate.