RVC Woman Nearly Scammed Out Of $17,000; 2 Men Charged: Police

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY — A Rockville Centre woman is the latest victim of an elder scam. The 69-year-old victim received a call on Wednesday from an unknown man claiming to be her grandson.

Another man acted as an attorney named Michael Waller, and said he needed $17,000 to bail him out of jail, authorities said.

The victim was instructed to get the money and a courier would be sent to her home to pick it up, police said.

The woman, though, became suspicious and called police.

Detectives coordinated the delivery of the package to the men at 1610 Old Country Rd. in Westbury, which led to the subsequent investigation and arrest of Pedro Ramon Martinez, 28; and Wayne Ibarra-Hernandez, 31, both of Miami Gardens, FL.

Approximately $50,000 was recovered by police.

They were charged with third-degree attempted grand larceny and were expected to be arraigned on Thursday.

The Nassau County Police Department urges the community to be on alert and reminds
vulnerable family members to watch out for potential scams or frauds.