Man Charged In $6K 'Grandparent Scam': Greenwich Police

GREENWICH, CT — A Greenwich man is accused of trying to defraud $6,000 from an area resident through a "grandparent scam," police said. According to Lt. John Slusarz, police obtained information that Frederick Delacruz, 30, of the Bronx, N.Y., would be picking up a UPS package in the Water Street area of Byram.

Delacruz believed the package contained $6,000 obtained through a "grandparent scam," police said.

"This is something that happens a lot more frequently during the holiday season," Slusarz said to Patch, "but it occurs all the time."

According to Slusarz, these scams typically involve a scammer calling a resident and pretending to be a grandchild or relative, then asking them to send the scammer money urgently.

When police confronted Delacruz, he fled on foot, however, officers caught up to him a short distance away, Slusarz said.

He was charged with third-degree telephone fraud, resisting arrest and criminal attempt at third-degree larceny.