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Crime & Safety

Seal Beach Grandma Scammed out of $30K; Man Sought

Authorities say he persuaded a widow he was her grandson and needed cash to get out of a Mexican jail.

A man allegedly scammed $30,000 from an 86-year-old Seal Beach grandmother, and police want help from residents in Southern California, New York City and Canada to find him.

On Feb. 18, an 86-year-old widow received a call from someone claiming to be her grandson Randy, saying he was stuck in a Mexican jail and needed $15,000 to get out, according to the Seal Beach Police Department.

The caller asked the woman to send the money to “Matthew Jones” at a FedEx business office in New York City.

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On Feb. 19, the victim sent the cash.

A day later, the man asked for another $15,000 to the same address, and the grandmother sent it. The man allegedly used a fake Canadian driver’s license to pick up the packages from the New York FedEx business center. Surveillance video and still photos recorded a man picking up the packages.

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After learning of the scam, the woman contacted Seal Beach police, who began investigating along with New York City police.

The suspect was described as mid-to-late 30s with a medium-to-heavy build. Police said the man’s goatee was braided in a distincitive "sparrow style."

Authorities have sent a press release to media in Southern California, New York City and Canada in hopes of identifying the suspect.

“Identity theft is an epidemic,” said SBPD Chief Joe Stilinovich. “The investigation of identity theft and fraud perpetrated against our senior population is a Seal Beach Police Department priority. Our senior residents are vulnerable to such scams and it is a communitywide responsibility to protect them.”

Anyone with information about the identity or location of the suspect is asked to contact Seal Beach Police Detective Mary Martinez at 562-799-4100, ext. 1110, or mmartinez@sealbeachca.gov.

Some SBPD tips on Avoiding Scams.

  • Let your elderly loved ones know this scam exists.
  • Ask the caller detailed questions nobody but the real person would know.
  • If a relative calls in a panic and wants money wired, tell your parents to verify the story by calling another relative. If the caller says to keep it a secret, that's a red flag.
  • Check the caller's number. Overseas or out-of-state calls are a common indicator of scams.
  • Hang up and call the person back at their home or cell number. If the famly member is at home, he's obviously not in jail.
  • Have someone else in the family check out the story no matter what.

What to Do If a Senior Loved One is a Victim

  • Call the bank immediately to stop payment.
  • Call the police right away and tell them what happened.
  • If the money is still being processed, the person attempting the theft may be waiting on the transfer and could be apprehended.
  • Contact the three credit bureaus and let them know you believe your identity has been compromised.
  • Don’t be embarrassed you’ve been victimized. Please report all of these activities to police.

For more information on ripoffs like the "Family Member in Distress scam," visit the FTC's identity theft website: http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/scam-alerts.

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