N.J. man accused of posing as bail bondsman to take $5K from Hempfield woman

A Hempfield woman is out $5,000 after being tricked into believing her daughter was in legal trouble after a car crash, according to state police.

The woman gave the cash to a New Jersey man who posed as a bail bondsman and visited her home Monday in the Midway neighborhood, troopers said. Police have issued warnings recently about that type of bail scam, along with a similar one that preys on the elderly.

Surveillance footage from the woman’s neighborhood helped troopers identify a suspect — Wilson A. Burgos-Hernandez, 23. He was being held without bail at Westmoreland County Prison on charges of dealing in proceeds from unlawful activity and theft by deception.

“As for these types of scams, we just want people to be very cautious of any unsolicited phone calls or communication where someone is claiming that a family member is in jail or there is some type of family emergency with an urgent need for money,” Trooper Cliff Greenfield said. “The big ‘red flag’ would be any unsolicited communication involving an urgent request for money. When in doubt, hang up and don’t provide any personal or financial information.”

Troopers said the woman received a phone call from a person who identified herself as the woman’s daughter. The caller claimed to be incarcerated and provided a number for an attorney, according to court papers.

The woman spoke with a man who claimed to be an attorney and asked her to post bail, adding a bail bondsman was in the area and could pick up the money. She was provided an invoice number and was instructed to hand over the money after the purported bail bondsman showed her the same code, according to court papers.

Troopers got a break Tuesday when Bethel Park police shared information they had arrested two people a day earlier, one of whom matched the description of the suspect in the Hempfield case. Burgos-Hernandez was in possession of $5,000 upon his arrest, according to court papers.

He did not have an attorney listed in online court records. A March 22 preliminary hearing is set. He is facing similar charges in Allegheny County court in two cases filed this week by police in Bethel Park and Leetsdale.

Police recently issued warnings of an influx of similar scam reports in the region. Greenfield said call-takers should verify information with family members before handing over any money or personal information. Penn Township police also have said bail typically is posted at the jail, not in an exchange of money or other forms of payment with an unknown person.

“Do not call any phone number that was provided to you by the potential scammer,” Greenfield said.

The Hempfield woman attempted multiple times to contact her daughter but could not, leading her to believe the situation was legitimate, according to court papers.

Four men were arrested last year on police accusations that they took at least $250,000 from 10 senior citizens in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties under the guise of grandchildren needing bail money. A sting in that case was set up with the help of a Bethel Park man who was contacted by the suspects, three of whom were indicted later in federal court.

The Federal Trade Commission warns citizens to be vigilant for this type of family emergency scam, which can come in various forms and prey on the elderly. The commission warns to not give personal information or hand over cash or gift cards or wire money. Instead, hang up and check with family members to see if the story is accurate. Scam phone calls can be convincing, Greenfield said, but police don’t want residents to be embarrassed if they get one.

“We strongly encourage them to report the incident to the police right away,” he said. “By them reporting the incident to us, we may be able to prevent other people in their community from falling victim to the same scam.”