More incidents of 'Grandparent Scam' being reported in region despite Westmoreland arrests

Arrests last year of four men accused of running what state police described as a “Grandparent Scam” in Westmoreland and Allegheny counties apparently has not stopped others from trying the scheme in the region.

Trooper Cliff Greenfield said Wednesday that at least 12 reports have been received over the past week at the Indiana County station from residents who said they were informed by a caller that their grandson or granddaughter was jailed and in need of bail money. The majority of residents realized the call was a scam and didn’t lose any money, he said.

A 79-year-old woman told police she gave $11,500 to a “courier” that arrived at her home Tuesday that she believed was needed by her grandson for bail money after a vehicle crash. The supposed courier was described as a thin white man about 25 years old and standing around 6 feet tall. He had dark wavy hair and was wearing a greenish-brown face covering.

A similar incident was reported in Cambria County Feb. 2 in which a 89-year-old woman gave a courier $23,000, Greenfield said. The suspect was described as a white man about 30 years old with longer brown hair. He was wearing a knit hat and surgical-style face mask.

Greenfield advised residents to discuss scams with family and verify the legitimacy of suspicious communication.

⚠️Scam Alert: Grandparent Scam Targeting Local Residents pic.twitter.com/WuoNGQzZ4g

— Troopers Steve Limani & Cliff Greenfield (@PSPTroopAPIO) February 16, 2022

Four men were charged in Westmoreland County Sept. 30 after police said they bilked at least $250,000 from 10 senior citizens in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties. Police said all of the victims thought they were providing cash to couriers to bail relatives out of jail.

The circumstances detailed by police in those cases were similar to what Greenfield described. Troopers set up a sting with the help of a Bethel Park man who was contacted by the suspects, according to court papers. They arrested the “courier” who led them to the others at two hotels near the Pittsburgh airport. One of the suspects had $220,000 cash inside a shoe box in his room, police said.

Three of the men were indicted in November on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. It was unclear what happened to the fourth man’s case.