BERWICK, Maine — A cautionary tale of deception and theft to an elderly victim is being told around town to warn people of the dangers of scam artists.
The victim received a phone call this month from a man who called her “memere,” a common French nickname for a grandmother and the name her grandson typically calls her, according to a press release from the Berwick Police Department. The caller told the grandmother he was in the Dominican Republic for a friend’s wedding. He said he was arrested after he was involved in a car accident and needed bail money. The caller also said he had broken his nose in the accident.
The caller asked the victim to electronically transfer $2,500 to a friend of his, also in the Dominican Republic, to help with bail. The caller gave an address and name of “Gary” for the money to be sent to. The victim noticed the check was “instantly cashed,” and she received another call from the same male subject asking for another $1,900 for more bail money. The victim said she was in the process of transferring the money when a clerk completing the transfer told the victim the situation and transfer seemed suspicious. This suspicion caused the victim to contact her grandson who informed her he was not in the Caribbean and was actually at work.
The police department wants to remind residents to be careful about giving out their private information on the phone or on the Internet.
Any questions or concerns can be directed to the Berwick Police Department at 207-698-1136.
© 2012 the Foster’s Daily Democrat
Distributed by MCT Information Services
They must be trolling Facebook to find their prey.
A friend’s mother was a victim of something similiar. They actually hacked the granddaughter’s email & facebook account. The grandmother didn’t want to get her granddaughter in trouble and had sent close to $10,000 before anyone realized what she was doing.
I can sympathize!! I got a very similar call on Sat. Feb 11, 2012. The young man called me “grammy” and related he had been arrested afterstopping and turning right on a red light; he hit a rental car; gave me the name of his “lawyer” etc, etc., etc. Long story shortened, I bit – Hook, Line & Sinker. Running on emotion, not common sense. I sent $2,940.00 to the Dominican Republic. I actually borrowed the money. Consequently went to police station, they were not too interested, sent me back to Western Union to see if money had been sent and if it had to go back to police station to file a report which would be forwarded to the FBI because it was “out of country?. Of course, it had been sent. Back to police station, waited, was told to go back on Sunday when “the officer who handles this would be in from 8-4. I did not bother going back. The money is gone. I have deleted myself from Facebook.
I am originally from Maine, now living in Florida.
I guess some of those old people saved up a lot growing up in the depression. Funny some of them get food stamps and have over a 100k in cash.
All the seniors have all the money in america anyways. 2500 bucks aint alot for these folks. they get food stamps drive slow to save gas and dont spend much because they dont go out.
consider the money loss as just 1 razor mark on the sheep coat.
At the end of the day…. the sheep will be fleast.
A fool and his or hers $ will soon part.
im sure she make some dominican man very happy.
consider it a donation to Haiti bro.