Man Arrested For Trying To Scam Elderly Woman: Nassau Police

Nassau police arrested a man from New York City that they say was trying to con an elderly woman out of thousands of dollars.

According to police, a 91-year-old Farmingdale resident received a call from an unknown woman claiming to be her granddaughter. The woman said she was arrested in Haiti, and then gave the phone to a man posing as a police sergeant who said the 91-year-old woman needed to withdraw $9,000 to pay the bail. She was told to put the money in the mailbox in front of her home.

After getting the money from the bank, the woman became suspicious and called her granddaughter, who was actually at work. The woman then called the police, who responded and told her to put the money in the mailbox to lure out the caller.

A short time later, police say Guillermo Fernandez, 31, of Audubon Avenue, showed up and took the money from the mailbox. After he took the money, police arrested him.

Fernandez is charged with third-degree grand larceny. He was arraigned on Saturday in First District Court in Hempstead. The investigation is ongoing.

Police ask anyone that feels they may have been a victim to the this scam call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS or call 911. All callers will remain anonymous.

Photo courtesy Nassau County Police Department