Man arrested for scamming Peconic woman out of $6,700
Southold Town Police say the victim contacted by a man claiming to be her grandson, who said he had been arrested for DWI after a crash and needed money to post bail.
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One East End police department is warning residents about a recent scam.
A Peconic woman reported that she had been contacted by a man claiming to be her grandson, who said he had been arrested for DWI after a crash and needed money to post bail.
Southold Town Police say the victim was then called by another individual who identified themselves as an attorney and a courier was sent to her residence to collect $6,720 in cash.
A short time later, the woman was told more money would be needed and that’s when she reached out to police.
Southold detectives conducted an investigation with the assistance of Nassau police and subsequently identified Jonathan Manuel, 37, of Paterson, NJ, as the man who had called the woman and retrieved the cash.
Manuel was located and admitted to taking the money, which was recovered from his vehicle, according to police.
He was arrested and taken to Southold Town Police Headquarters for processing.
Officials are reminding residents that law enforcement agencies, courts, and attorneys will not demand immediate payment of cash to prevent a loved one from being arrested or released from custody.
Police also advise you to verify the story independently by contacting the family member directly using a known phone number and don’t allow anyone claiming to be a courier to collect money from your home.
