Southold woman swindled out of nearly $7K in grandson scam; N.J. man charged
A Southold woman was swindled out of nearly $7,000 after a caller claimed her grandson needed money to get bailed out of jail — the latest fraud case amid heightened local concern over scams and cyber threats.
The unidentified woman received a call Friday morning from a man claiming to be her grandson, who said he had been in a car accident, was arrested for DWI and needed $6,720 to post bail, according to Southold Town police.
The resident was then contacted by another person claiming to be her grandson’s attorney, and, shortly after, a courier was sent to the residence to collect the money, police said Sunday.
When she was told additional bail money was needed, she contacted Southold Town police.
“These people are experts; they tug at the heartstrings and make it a personal matter,” Chief Steven Grattan told The Suffolk Times on Monday. “Slow down, call your family, or call us.”
Southold Town police, working with the Nassau County Police Department, located Jonathan Manuel, 37, of Paterson, N.J., who police said admitted to taking the money. Officers recovered the $6,720 from his car and charged him with third-degree grand larceny, a felony. He was transported to Southold Town Police Headquarters for processing.
The arrest came the same day town officials separately warned residents about fraudulent emails posing as messages from Southold’s Zoning Board of Appeals and demanding money.
The scam emails direct recipients to send payments through links or attachments, according to the town. Officials said the messages did not originate from the town’s email system and were using the town’s name without authorization. The ZBA does not request fee payments by email, and legitimate application fees are paid through the town’s normal processes.
Police are reminding residents not to send money to anyone who contacts them unexpectedly; to independently verify the story by calling the family member at a known phone number; and not to allow anyone claiming to be a courier to collect money from their home. Officials also urged residents not to click links or open attachments in suspicious emails claiming to come from the town.
Anyone who has already sent money or provided financial information should immediately contact their bank or card issuer and report the incident to Southold Town police at 631-765-2600. The town also recommends reporting scam messages to the Federal Trade Commission, FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center and New York State Attorney General’s office.
