Grandma Scammed Out Of $6K Trying To Help ‘Grandson’ In Morris Plains

MORRIS PLAINS, NJ — A Morris Plains resident was scammed out of $6,000 in cash while trying to help her grandson, the Morris County Sheriff's Office said.

The woman, who police did not identify, got a call on March 27 from someone pretending to be a lawyer. The man told the resident that her grandson was currently in police custody following a serious motor vehicle crash and that payment was needed for his release.

The scam caller went on to say that her grandson was in critical condition, as was the woman he hit.

Eventually, the caller requested $15,000 in order to have her grandson released and arranged for a courier to pick up the funds, police said.

According to police, the resident explained that she didn't have much money but came up with $6,000 to have her grandson released. Following the phone call, the suspect, only identified as "George," arrived in a gray SUV, picked up the cash, and drove away.

This is a classic "grandparents scam," in which fraudsters prey on grandparents' devotion to their grandchildren. The scammers generally call and claim that the grandchild is in trouble and requires money; in some versions of the scam, the callers request that the grandparents not inform their children about the incident.

Anyone who believes they have been a victim of a scam or any other type of fraudulent activity should contact the Morris Plains Police Department at 973-538-2284.