Farmingdale Woman, 95, Scammed In $55K Grandson Scheme: PD

FARMINGDALE, NY — A Manhattan man was arrested Wednesday in connection with a scam against an elderly Farmingdale woman, Nassau police said. Misael Romero, 27, was charged with third-degree attempted grand larceny.

A 95-year-old woman answered a phone call Monday from someone claiming to be her grandson and he told her he had been arrested, detectives said. The woman was told that someone would be sent to pick up $8,500 needed for his bail, police said. When a man arrived, the woman handed over an envelope with the money, police said.

She was called again Tuesday and informed that more funds were needed, police said. On two occasions that day, a man arrived to pick up one envelope containing $12,000 and another containing $20,000, police said. The woman then realized it was a scam and called police, police said.

On Wednesday, the woman was called by a person who told her an additional $14,000 was needed, police said. Detectives investigated and coordinated a controlled delivery of the funds, police said. When Romero arrived to pick up the money, he was arrested without incident, detectives said.

Romero is scheduled for arraignment Thursday in Mineola. Nassau police wouldn't say whether Romero had accomplices.

Detectives asked anyone with information about this case to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.