Man Accused Of Bilking East Haddam Resident In Bail Scam: Police

EAST HADDAM, CT — An East Haddam resident was the victim in a recent bail scam. State police are searching for those responsible.

Troop K in Colchester was contacted by an East Haddam resident Friday. The resident had received a call earlier in the day. The caller said that a family member of the resident had been arrested due to their involvement in a car accident.

The caller explained that a bail bondsman would contact the resident and arrange to pick up cash for the family member's bond at the resident's home.

The resident received a second call discussing the amount of the bond and explaining that someone would arrive at the home to pick up the cash in person.

About an hour later, a person, pictured above, arrived at the resident's home to pick up the cash, according to police.

Shortly after the person picked up the cash, the resident contacted the family member who had allegedly been taken into custody, police said. At this point, the resident learned they had been the victim of a bail scam.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Connecticut State Police Troop K in Colchester at (860)465-5400.

Troop C in Tolland received reports of two bail scams in Somers involving a man whom victims described similarly.

In both incidents, the victims received a call stating that a family member had been arrested and that the victim needed to provide money for bail. Then the scammer made arrangements to travel to the victims' homes to pick up the money in person.

Police said that these scams can happen to anyone but often target senior citizens.

The bail scam is sometimes known as the grandparent scam, as the con artist will claim that the victim's grandchild has been taken into custody.

Last week, Guilford police issued a warning to residents after residents filed complaints about scammers who attempted to steal $18,000 for them.

See related: Guilford Police Warn Residents Of 'Grandparent Scammers'

Police provided the following advice to avoid being taken advantage of in a scam:

• If you receive a call stating that a family member is in custody, call that relative or another immediate family member who can help determine if you're the target of a scam
• If you have been instructed not to speak with anyone about providing bail money, this is a sign that you are being scammed
• Never give out banking information, credit card numbers, or other personal information without first verifying that the request is legitimate. Make a call to your bank or credit card company to verify the request
• Government agencies do not request that fees, fines, or bail bonds be paid with gift cards, cryptocurrency, through an ATM, or by wire transfer