BY THE VILLAGE SUN | An elderly woman in Greenwich Village was swindled out of nearly $17,000, police said.
According to cops, on May 29 around noon, an 87-year-old woman got a phone call from a stranger posing as an attorney, who said her grandson had been arrested for driving under the influence and needed $16,900 for his bail.
The alleged attorney met the victim at Fifth Avenue and E. 11th Street, where he accepted the agreed-to sum of cash from the victim. The scammer then fled on foot, heading southbound on Fifth Avenue. There were no injuries reported during the incident.
The wanted man is described as having a medium build, standing 6 feet tall and weighing around 230 pounds. He had a beard, thinning hair on top and an apparent tattoo near his right wrist. He was last seen wearing a green baseball hat, white T-shirt, black jeans and white or black sneakers.
Police ask that anyone with information call the N.Y.P.D.’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Tips can also be submitted on the Crime Stoppers Web site at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org or on X at @NYPDTips. All tips are strictly confidential.
NEVER EVER TRUST ANYONE CLAIMING TO BE A LOVED ONE, OR REPRESENTING A LOVED ONE, CALLING OR EMAILING FOR CASH. THAT INCLUDES PHONE VOICES THAT SOUND LIKE LOVED ONES (THEY CAN BE COMPUTER-GENERATED). You can easily confirm authenticity. Ask for phone numbers and addresses. Check everything.
Scumbag. Find him!