Lakewood Police Issue Warning About Phone Scam

Lakewood police are warning residents about a phone scam that robbed one resident of $4,500 on Monday.

According to a report from the , here’s how the scam went down:

On Monday, a Lakewood woman told police that she got a phone call from an upset female claiming to be her granddaughter who had just been arrested in Canada for possessing marijuana.

The granddaughter claimed to need $4,500 for bond for her release from jail, according to a statement from the police department. The “granddaughter” told the woman that she would receive a call from a police officer regarding the money and added that she was embarrassed and did not want her grandmother to tell anyone. 

About 15 minutes later, the Lakewood resident received a call from a male who identified himself as a Niagara Falls police officer. He instructed the female to wire the money to an address in Haiti. This would ensure that her “granddaughter” would be released from jail. The man advised her that the money would be returned after the court appearance. 

The Lakewood resident wired the money. She received a call from the "police officer" verifying the receipt of the money. 

The next day, the Lakewood woman called her granddaughter and learned that she had been at school. And hadn’t left the country.

That’s when the Lakewood police were notified.

Police chief Timothy Malley says the department does not have any leads yet on the scam, calling the case "very difficult to solve since it probably involves suspects in Canada and Haiti."

"People should always be suspicious of people asking them to send money anywhere, and report to the police if there is a question," Malley said. "Anytime somebody asks you to send money or personal information: beware."