Woman Poses As FBI Agent To Scam Mercer Resident, Charged With Theft

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — A New York woman was arrested and charged with theft after she tried to scam an 80-year-old resident by posing as an FBI agent, Hamilton police said.

Mildreth Santamaria-Tirado, 40, of Colonia NY was arrested on Friday and charged with theft by deception, police said.

On April 18, an 80-year-old Hamilton resident received a phone call from a man claiming to be working with the FBI, and stating that the resident’s daughter was in custody for possession of marijuana.

To secure his daughter’s release, the 80-year-old would have to pay 10 percent of a $200,000 bail. After securing $15,000 of the funds, the senior called the man posing as an FBI employee, who said he would send someone to pick up the money, police said.

The octogenarian was able to contact his daughter who told him she was safe and not in custody, that’s when he realized it was a scam and contacted the police, authorities said.

Det. Thomas Clugsten responded to the scene along with Hamilton Police Anti-Crime Unit Officers and arrested Santamaria-Tirado, as she was speaking to the victim on the porch of his residence attempting to complete the pickup, police said.

Santamaria-Tirado was taken to the Hamilton Police Division Headquarters, charged and released pending a court date, police said.

Anyone with additional information relevant to the case is asked to contact Det. Clugsten at 609-581-4027 or by email: tclugsten@hamiltonpd.org. Information can also be sent to the Hamilton police Division tip line at 609-581-4008.

The Hamilton Police is warning the public against scams where they receive a phone call from persons posing as an official demanding money and arranging a pickup.

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