Malden Man Defrauded Elderly Woman Of $8,000: DA

MALDEN, MA — A Malden man orchestrated a plot to steal $8,000 from an elderly woman by claiming her family member had been arrested, the Plymouth County District Attorney's office said. James Charles, 49, was charged with larceny over $1,200 by false pretense and larceny over $250 from a person over 60. He also faces two counts each of money laundering and conspiracy.

On April 16, the woman told Hanover police she received a call from a man claiming to be a family member in need of help. The man said he had been arrested in New Hampshire and turned the phone over to an "attorney," who requested $8,000 for bail. The woman followed the caller's instructions and turned the money over to a courier who arrived at her home, the DA's office said.

She requested a call back from the "attorney" but did not receive one. When she confirmed the whereabouts of her family member, she determined she had been defrauded of $8,000 and contacted police, the DA's office said.

Investigators believe Charles organized the scheme. He pleaded not guilty Monday and was ordered held on $5,000 bail. He is scheduled to appear in court again Jan. 19.

"Coronavirus and social distancing are not going to stop those determined to take advantage of unsuspecting victims out to steal a person's vital personal and financial information," Plymouth District Attorney Timothy Cruz said. "During this pandemic, we are all working daily to stay healthy and safe, and we need to practice this same vigilance every time we pick up the phone and while operating online."