Princeton Local Lost $37,000 In 'Grandparent Scam'

PRINCETON, NJ — A Princeton local fell victim to the "Grandparent Scam" recently, police report.

On July 29, a Scribner Court resident was tricked out of $37,000 in the "Grandparent Scam," according to the Princeton Police blotter.

The scam usually entails someone calling the victim over the phone claiming to be their grandchild with an elaborate lie about needing help. The caller will then proceed to ask the victim to send them money to help them out. For example, the caller will have the victim send them money to bail them out of jail.

If you’re a victim of a grandparent scam or another form of fraud, report it to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP.

For more information on the Grandparents Scam click here.

Other Princeton Police blotter items:

On July 29: A rental agency located in the 800 block of State Road reported that on May 14, someone used fraudulent identification to rent a 2019 black Range Rover from the rental agency and failed to return the vehicle. The company discovered the identification was fraudulent when they tried to contact the renter.

On July 31 at 9:53 p.m.: Patrols responded to the 5200 block of Province Line Road for a noise complaint and located numerous people running from a home that was supposed to be unoccupied. Brunel Joseph, Jr., 21, of Princeton and John Saul, 18, of Titusville were apprehended and subsequently placed under arrest. Both were later released with summonses for criminal trespass and obstructing the administration of law.

On Aug. 1 at 8:36 p.m.: Subsequent to a motor vehicle stop on John Street for driving the wrong way on a one-way street, patrols found the passenger, a 16-year-old male of West Windsor, to be in possession of more than 50 grams of suspected marijuana. The male was also in possession of suspected THC oil, drug paraphernalia, a scale,and a large quantity of cash. The male was charged with distribution of controlled dangerous substance(CDS) (near a playground) and possession of CDS. He was arrested and later released to his parent.

On Aug. 3 at 1:34 a.m.: Subsequent to a motor vehicle stop for failing to observe a traffic signal, the passenger, Jazjuan Phelps-Dean, 20, of Levittown, Pennsylvania was found to be in possession of suspected marijuana under 50 grams. Phelps-Dean was placed under arrest for possession of CDS and later released with a summons.

On Aug. 3: A Moore Street resident reported that someone sent them a fictitious check for items they had for sale. The victim realized they were being scammed when the buyer asked for the "change" from the check to be sent to them via Venmo. The check was ultimately declined by the bank.

On Aug. 3: A victim reported that sometime between 3:30 and 9:30 p.m. on that date, someone stole the front license plate off of their vehicle while it was parked in the 300 block of Alexander Street.

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