Teamwork Between Yonkers PD Dispatcher And Officers Saves Potential Fraud Victim

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TEAMWORK BETWEEN DISPATCHER AND 1ST PRECINCT OFFICER SAVES POTENTIAL FRAUD VICTIM.

MEDIA RELEASE

City of Yonkers Police Department

104 South Broadway

Yonkers, New York 10701

Office (914) 377-7200

Fax (914) 377-7213

www.yonkerspd.com

On 01-13-16 at approximately 9:08 a.m., a call was received at the Yonkers Police Communications Division from a female resident, who related that her father, a 79 year old Yonkers resident had received a call on his cell phone relating that his grandson was being held “captive” in Puerto Rico and that money would need to be sent to the caller to free the victim’s grandson. The female resident further related that her father stayed on the phone with the individual demanding money and he left the house abruptly and drove to the bank in order to retrieve money. The victim’s daughter felt that her father was the victim of a phone scam. Shortly after her father left the residence, the female caller stated that she was able to speak to her son and confirm that he was safe and not in Puerto Rico, but she was unable to contact her father because he was still on his cell phone with the suspect.

Public Safety Dispatcher (PSD) Christopher Mason notified 1st Precinct Police Officer Scott Harsany of the incident. PSD Mason was also able to solicit the vehicle registration information from the female caller and this was provided to P.O. Harsany via the police radio. Acting on previous information known to him concerning similar frauds, P.O. Harsany decided to canvass a local CVS store located in the area of Central Park Avenue where “Moneygram” was previously used by other victim’s to pay fraudsters over the phone. P.O. Harsany was not able to locate the victim’s vehicle at that location. PSD Mason then notified P.O. Harsany that the Communications Division was able to “ping” the victim’s phone, which is a phone tracking application. The victim’s phone appeared to be in the area of the Midway Shopping Center further north on Central Park Avenue. P.O. Harsany had prior knowledge of the Midway Shopping Center having a CVS. When P.O. Harsany arrived at the location of the 2nd CVS store at approximately 9:35 a.m., he observed a vehicle parked in front of the CVS matching the victim’s vehicle. As he approached the CVS, he observed a male matching the victim’s description still on the phone while exiting the front door of the store. At the time, the victim was attempting to get his reading glasses from his pocket to read a pin number from a just purchased “Moneygram” electronic money transfer. P.O. Harsany could hear the caller instructing the victim to “give me the pin number.” A pin number is needed to complete the electronic transfer of money. P.O. Harsany calmly advised the victim that his grandson was in good health and not in Puerto Rico, he assured the victim that the call was a fraud. The victim was apprehensive at first because he was advised by the caller that if he contacted the police, his grandson would be harmed. Eventually the victim came to realize this was a fraud and he hung up the phone after having a few “choice words” with the caller. P.O. Harsany then assisted the victim in getting a refund from “Moneygram” and depositing the money back into his bank account. The victim informed P.O. Harsanay that he was seconds away from providing the suspect the pin number. The Yonkers Police Department Financial Crimes Unit will be following up on this incident. These calls are often made from overseas and difficult for local law enforcement agencies to investigate.

This kind of fraud has been around for a few years now and there have been different variations. Usually the caller advises that a family member is in danger, needs bail, or was in an accident and funds are immediately needed to assist their loved one. These suspects usually target elderly residents and they operate primarily by making victims fearful for family members’ safety. The form of payment can also vary, often asking for prepaid card numbers or through the use of “Moneygram.” The Yonkers Police Department has seen an increase in these kinds of calls over the last few weeks. These crimes often go unreported because the victims are often embarrassed once the fraud has been completed and they realize that their loved ones are not in danger. We are advising any residents who may receive similar calls to NOT take any immediate action. Consult with a trusted family member or friend before sending funds to anyone. Residents can call the YPD at 914-377-7900 (24 hours) or our Financial Crimes Unit at 914-377-7732.

[Oswegowind 17]

Thank you for posting this.

[fire patrol nyc 153]

Way to go Yonkers!!!!!