YCSO has received a report of another victim in a scam targeting seniors where suspects pretend they are the victim’s grandson needing money and in crisis. Spokesman Dwight D’Evelyn says a 75-year old Chino Valley man told deputies he received a phone call from an individual who sounded like his grandson claiming to need bail money. The so-called ‘grandson’ had been in a DUI related collision in Florida which caused a lot of property damage. Another man came on the line identifying himself as a lawyer and indicated the grandson needed $960.00. The victim went to the grocery store in Chino Valley and sent a $960.00 money order to a location in the Dominican Republic as directed.D’Evelyn says after sending the money order, the victim received a phone call from the lawyer’s ‘assistant’ explaining the need for more money. He says when the victim asked to speak with the lawyer, he was told the lawyer was busy and would call back. When the ‘lawyer’ never did, the victim realized he had been scammed. D’Evelyn says suspects are generally calling from locations all over the world, and use social networking sites to gain personal family knowledge for credibility with victims.
