News
Released: August 19, 2011 - Friday, 12:56 PM
The victim became suspicious and called the Sheriff's Office. No money was lost, however the incident upset the elderly victim and caused a spike in blood pressure that resulted with him being treated and released from a local hospital.
Sheriff's officials warn the "Grandparent Scam" or similar phone scams where money is needed urgently should be fact checked before any money is sent to avoid being a victim. The phone numbers in this case were traced to area codes in Quebec, Canada that were cell phones. The voice mail simply identified the phone as "Public Defenders Office."
Attempted Grand Theft - Phone Scam
Contact: Rob BrynPhone: (805) 781-4547Date and time of incident: 8-16-2011 4:22 PMPlace of Occurrence: 400 blk Hansen Hill Rd. rural Arroyo GrandeVictim Information: 82 year old maleSuspect Information: False name - "Richard Stern" An 82 year old Arroyo Grande man was hospitalized briefly on Tuesday after receiving a telephone call reporting his grandson had been taken into custody and needed $2500.00 in "bail money." The voice on the phone identified himself as the man's grandson, using the correct name of the victim's actual grandson. The caller said he had to get off the phone and that the "Public Defender" would be calling him back shortly. The man then got a second call approximately 20 minutes later from a man who introduced himself as "Richard Stern" a public defender. This caller then instructed the man to wire $2500.00 to a bank account in Beirut, Lebanon to cover the cost of damage his grandson had caused in a traffic collision. The grandson would be released from custody and charges dropped once the money was received.The victim became suspicious and called the Sheriff's Office. No money was lost, however the incident upset the elderly victim and caused a spike in blood pressure that resulted with him being treated and released from a local hospital.
Sheriff's officials warn the "Grandparent Scam" or similar phone scams where money is needed urgently should be fact checked before any money is sent to avoid being a victim. The phone numbers in this case were traced to area codes in Quebec, Canada that were cell phones. The voice mail simply identified the phone as "Public Defenders Office."
