His bank recovered $8,000 -- leaving the victim out $4,500, Police Chief Dean Ackermann said Monday.
A caller claiming to be the victim's grandson told the victim that he'd been in an out-of-state crash and was being held on a DWI charges, Ackermann explained.
Another caller claiming to be a public defender said he needed the money to bail the "grandson" from jail, he said.
So the victim "wired a total of $12,500, as instructed," he said.
Detectives were investigating. But chances are most likely that the victim's money is gone.
Just two months ago, a Glen Rock woman nearly fell victim to a similar scam. She'd already bought gift cards, as instructed, but at the last minute called her grandson -- and discovered the scam.
SEE: 'Grandson In Trouble': Phone Scammers Nearly Con Glen Rock Grandma
https://fairlawn.dailyvoice.com/police-fire/grandson-in-trouble-phone-scammers-nearly-con-glen-rock-grandma/719180/
HERE's WHAT TO DO if you ever get a call from or about a grandchild or any other relative in danger or trouble and needing money:
Take a moment to calm yourself;
Say that you must consult another family member first;
Hang up and call a loved one.
Then call police.
"If the emergency is by any chance real, you can still respond appropriately," Ackermann said. "If it's not — and the odds point to that — congratulate yourself."
If you have elderly parents or other relatives, share this story with them. Warn them about the dangers and advise them on how to respond.
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ALSO SEE: Phone scams continue to claim victims — including a Ridgewood resident who wired $539 to someone who told her that she needed to do so to collect an “American National Award.” Here's how to school yourself.
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ALSO SEE: If you were conned into sending money to scammers using Western Union’s wire transfer service, you could get some of it back.
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