Crime & Safety
88-Year-Old Nassau Woman Helps Thwart $4,500 Scam; Arrest Made
Police are asking other potential scam victims to come forward.
SEAFORD, NY — A Bronx man has been arrested in Seaford after police say he tried to scam an 88-year-old woman out of thousands of dollars in a scheme where he pretended to be a family member.
A man called the woman around 11 a.m. Monday posing as her grandson and said his attorney would be contacting her, Nassau County police said.
A short time later, a second man purporting to be the lawyer called the woman and told her she needed to pay $4,500 to bail out her grandson. The cash was to be left in the mailbox in front of her home.
Find out what's happening in Wantagh-Seafordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The woman called police who told her to place the money in the mailbox as part of a sting operation. Edward Rodriguez, 22, rode up to the mailbox in an off-road style motorcycle and tried to grab the cash. He was immediately arrested.
Rodriguez faces a charge of attempted grand larceny. He was expected in court Tuesday in Hempstead.
Find out what's happening in Wantagh-Seafordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Anyone who thinks they may have fallen victim to such a scam should call police or Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS.
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