Group arrested after using grandparent phone scam to steal thousands, authorities say
BERKS COUNTY, Pa. - A group of men have been apprehended for their roles in a "Grandparent Phone Scam", authorities stated Tuesday.
The case began on October 7, 2020 when the Berks County Detective's office received a complaint from a 67-year-old man from California.
According to the man, he received a phone call on October 5th from a man who identified himself as the victim's adult grandson.
The victim questioned the caller as the voice did not sound like his grandson, but the caller explained that he was in a car accident while driving to a funeral in Reading, Pennsylvania, authorities explained.
During the phone call, the suspect stated that he was texting while driving and ran a stop sign, he then hit another vehicle that was occupied by a pregnant female. The caller stated that he was arrested for causing bodily injury to the pregnant female.
The caller asked the grandfather not to call his parents and stated that he has a Public Defender assigned to him and the Public Defender would be contacting the grandfather, according to authorities.
A few minutes later, a male contacted the victim and identified himself as a Public Defender.
The alleged Public Defender advised the victim that his grandson needed $6,800 bail money for his court hearing the following day. The Public Defender requested the $6,800 in cash as well as a clean t-shirt for his grandson’s court hearing.
The victim was instructed to mail the cash and t-shirt to a Reading address. The victim agreed to this request and sent the package overnight express to the Reading address as directed.
The victim also provided the Public Defender with the overnight FedEx tracking number.
Authorities say, the next day, the victim received another phone call from the alleged Public Defender. The Public Defender advised the victim that the baby died and now his grandson was being charged with manslaughter. The Public Defender stated that he would be receiving a phone call from his boss.
A few minutes later another male called and identified himself as a Public Defender. This second caller requested the victim send another t-shirt, a COVID mask and $5,000 in cash overnight to the same Reading address.
The victim agreed to this second request and went to his bank to obtain the $5,000 in cash. The victim stated that he contacted his grandson’s parents as well as his grandson.
It was at this point the victim realized that this was a scam and contacted the Berks County District Attorney’s Detective Unit.
On Wednesday, October 7, 2020, the victim agreed to assist detectives and in doing so he mailed an overnight package to the same Reading address. The victim again provided the overnight tracking number and guaranteed delivery time to the Public Defender.
The following day on October 8, members of the Berks County District Attorney’s Detective Unit and Reading Police, conducted an undercover operation in Reading. During this undercover operation, detectives observed a vehicle approach the Reading address. This vehicle was occupied by three males.
Detectives observed one male exit the vehicle and wait by the Reading address, while the other two males parked around the corner. At approximately 8:29 A.M., the package was delivered, and the male took possession of the package. The male was observed leaving the area and opening the package.
The three males were apprehended and taken to the Berks County District Attorney’s Detective Unit for questioning. The three males identified themselves as Jashua Noboa-Nival, 19 of Bronx, New York; Yeurys Peguero-Rosario, 22 of Bronx, New York; and Ramon Emilio Peguero-Rosario, 18 of Bronx, New York.
Each admitted to being involved in criminal activity.
Subsequently, detectives identified eleven different victims from nine different states who lost an approximate $132,500 in cash as a result of the scam. In addition to the above listed Berks County cases, the detectives identified an additional fifteen victims, from thirteen states, totaling approximately $110,930.
___
DOWNLOAD: FOX 29 NEWS APP
SUBSCRIBE: Good Day Digest Newsletter | FOX 29 Philly on YouTube