Police are warning residents about a scam targeting the elderly during quarantine after an Aberdeen Township household was scammed out of thousands of dollars, with similar attempts being made at others.
Multiple cases have also been reported throughout various counties in the state. The victim or victims typically receive a phone call from a person posing as a lawyer or family member who says a child or grandchild has been arrested and needs to be bailed out of jail.
The victims are then instructed to collect cash from the bank and wait at home where a bail bondsman will meet them due to the quarantine. The person posing as a bondsman accepts the cash and they’re never heard from again.
Based on the circumstances, this appears to be an organized, targeted effort to defraud vulnerable adults who believe they are just trying to help their loved ones.
If someone calls you asking for bail money, ask what jail your family member is reportedly being held in, note the phone number they are calling from, and hang
up. Then call the detention facility and ask for confirmation that your loved one is being detained before making any decisions.
If you have any information that could help detectives, please contact Captain Joseph
Cole at 732-566-2054.