New Castle County Police were able to put an end to a “grandma scam” and recover nearly $30,000 in proceeds.
Police were dispatched to a residence on Thunder Gulch for a report of individuals attempting to retrieve packages. The community is off Old Baltimore Pike near the Maryland border
According to an anonymous witness, the vehicle was a Ford Escort occupied by two males. The officers located the vehicle and found the occupants to be 24-year-old David Green of Miami, FL and a 17-year-old juvenile male from Baltimore.
An investigation ensued and with the assistance of the New Castle County Division of Police Criminal Investigation Unit, the officers learned that David Green and the 17-year-old juvenile were picking up packages related to what was dubbed as a “Grandma Scam.”
Three elderly victims from Indiana, South Dakota, and Florida were under the assumption that a grandchild was in legal trouble and needed money. These victims mailed tens of thousands of dollars in cash to multiple locations throughout the country. As a result of the investigation, over $30,000 was recovered and is in the process of being returned to the victims.
Green was charged with one count of felony Theft, two counts of Attempted Felony Theft and two counts of felony Conspiracy 2nd. He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released after posting $13,000 secured bail.
The 17-year-old juvenile was also was charged with one count of Felony Theft, two counts of Attempted Felony Theft and two counts of felony Conspiracy 2nd. He was arraigned by New Castle County Family Court and released on $1,000 unsecured bail.
The scam often targets the elderly with the scammer claiming a grandchild or other relative needs bail money or other assistance.
Social media accounts without privacy settings or other public information can sometimes help the scammers in coming up with a plausible story.
