How grandparent scam takes a twist for Hingham woman who lost $10,000
HINGHAM – A town resident fell victim to the “grandparent scam” this week and lost $9,500 after handing the money to a driver sent to her front door.
According to Hingham police, the 77-year-old woman could have lost an additional $5,000 but called police after becoming suspicious of the second request for cash.
Police said the woman received a call Monday, March 25, from a scammer who claimed to be her grandson, who told her had he had been in a car accident in which he struck a pregnant woman and needed cash immediately to pay her hospital bills.
He asked for $9,500 and pleaded with her not to tell his parents. The woman believed it was her grandson and withdrew the cash from a Hingham bank.
A 'federal agent' sends a courier to her door
Once she had the cash, she received another call from a man who claimed to be a federal agent who was monitoring her grandson’s case.
Spread the word: Massachusetts attorney general warns of 'grandparent' scam
He said he would have an agent come to her home to pick up the money. He called her back a short time later with more specific instruction to hide the cash in a bag and staple it shut. He gave a description of the type and color of the car and said it would be at her home soon. When the car arrived, the woman went to the car and gave it to the female driver.
A second cash request triggers a call to Hingham police
The next day, the same “federal agent” called her and told her the woman had a miscarriage and that "lawyers are now involved," police said, requiring an additional $5,000 to cover the additional medical expenses.
At that point, the woman became suspicious and called a relative who told her to immediately call the police.
The scammers called when an officer was in her home. The resident agreed to tell the scammer she had withdrawn the $5,000, at which the scammer said one of his agents would be at her home shortly to pick up the money. The scammer described the type and color of the car that would be arriving.
Scam thwarted, but no arrests so far
With officers remaining nearby, the car arrived at the house an hour later.
Officers confronted the driver and learned he had been hired through a ride share app to pick up a package at the house and drive it to an address out of state. Police said the driver was not knowingly involved in the scam and was released without being charged. This case remains under investigation by Hingham detectives.
"This is a very common scam that has been happening here and elsewhere for years," Hingham police said in a Facebook post. "People continue to fall victim and lose money. The best way to prevent these scams from happening is by making our seniors aware. Please share these details."
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Hingham woman falls victim to grandparent scam that cost her $9,500.
