Duo Tried To Scam 95-Year-Old Lindenhurst Woman Out Of $8K: PD

LINDENHURST, NY — Two Bronx men were arrested on Thursday for trying to scam a 95-year-old Lindenhurst woman out of thousands of dollars, according to Suffolk County Police. The woman received a phone call and was told her grandson was involved in a drunk driving crash and needed $8,000 to cover bail and attorney fees, police said.

The caller told the woman to put the cash in her mailbox and he would come by to pick up the cash, police said. The woman told the caller she would leave the cash even though she immediately recognized this to be a scam and called 911.

Officers responded to the home and saw two men parked in a 2006 Acura TL on the woman's street, police said. One of the men, 30-year-old Eury Garcia-Sosa walked to the woman's house and was arrested, as was the driver of the car, identified as 32-year-old Jose Rojas, police said.

Rojas was charged with third degree attempted grand larceny, first degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and second degree unlawful possession. Garcia-Sosa was charged with third degree attempted grand larceny.

The two were held overnight at the First Precinct and are scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Friday.

If you believe you have been a victim of this scam contact First Squad Detectives at (631) 854-8152. Suffolk County Police remind residents about scams targeting the elderly where the scammers often say a loved one has been arrested or has been involved in a car accident and then asks for cash, money orders, or gift cards. Police urge residents who receive calls from anyone asking for money to verify with their relatives if they are actually in need of assistance.