Man Charged In Phone Scam Targeting Elderly In Hamptons: Cops

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — A Brooklyn man was charged in a phone scam that targeted the elderly, police said.

According to Southampton Town Police, on Friday, members of the Southampton Town Police Department's detective division arrested Thomas A. Figueroa-Aquino, 25; Figueroa-Aquino was part of a network scam that contacted victims by telephone demanding money to "bail out relatives from jail,'" police said.

Those targeted were older members of the community who, fearing for their “relatives”, paid the money; the "unsuspecting" individuals paid large sums of cash to couriers who were sent to pick up the money from their homes, police said.

One person in Hampton Bays paid several thousand dollars to the courier and a day later received a second demand of a larger sum, police said. The woman contacted her family who quickly informed her that she had been scammed; she contacted the police and reported that the individuals had demanded a larger amount and would be arriving at her home in a few hours, police said.

Southampton Town detectives were on the scene when he arrived and arrested Figueroa-Aquino, who was charged with two counts of third degree grand larceny and once count of first degree scheme to defraud, police said.

Further investigation revealed that additional individuals had been targeted in the jurisdiction, police said. Detectives were able to recover $10,000 of the money scammed on March 22 and will be returning the money to the individuals, police said.

Southampton Town Police wants to remind residents that members of law enforcement do not contact people directly for bail money, do not request cash, and do not send couriers to retrieve money.

"It is important to contact your family before any money is released to someone you do not know," police said

Anyone with questions or concerns regarding calls soliciting money is asked to contact the Southampton Town Police Department. The Southampton Town Police is working on a community education program to educate the public on how to protect yourself from scam calls. Those interested should contact Southampton Police Lt. Susan Ralph at 631-702-2247.