Long Island’s quick-thinking grandmother turned the tables upon a suspected elder fraudster after he phoned her last week pretending to be her grandson, in dire need of bail money due to a DUI conviction.
Jean, a Seaford woman from New York, identified herself to the women and saw right through this ruse.
‘He starts calling me “grandma,” and then I’m like, I don’t have a grandson that drives, so I knew it was a scam,’ Jean told CBS New York.
Jean, a retired 911 operator, decided to take the bait and trap him instead of hanging on.
Jean, aged 73, is a retired Long Island 911 operator. She lured a suspect elder scammer to her Long Island home.
Jean’s Seaford house was captured by Ring cameras. It showed the suspect arriving at Jean’s to receive $8,000 cash for her fake grandson’s bail.
The suspect is seen in this image walking off with a yellow envelope that contains paper towels and cash.
The suspect was arrested on the spot by police officers who were lying to wait
Jean’s scheme was caught on camera by the doorbell camera. Jean turned his back to flee, and two officers from Nassau County confronted him. They had an envelope filled with newspaper towels rather than $8,000 bail money.
Joshua Estrella Gómez (28), a suspect in attempted grand larceny was arrested by the Nassau County Police Department.
Gomez was given an appearance ticket. He is scheduled to return to court February 3.
The authorities say that the incident started on Thursday morning when Jean received a phone call from an unknown man who claimed to be Jean’s grandson.
Jean saw the cool look on Jean as the conman fell to Jean’s ground.
Reports News 12: The caller claimed that he was drunk driving and had caused an accident that resulted in the injury of a woman.
Newsday reports that Jean’s seven grandchildren, who are all either elementary- or middle-school students, do not drive.
The 73 year-old grandmother received another call shortly after that from Matt Levine, claiming to represent her grandson. He asked her for $8,000 toward her grandson’s bail.
Joshua Estrella Gomez (28), from Mineola was charged with attempted grand theft.
Another caller called Jean, this time identifying himself to be Jean’s grandson’s bail bail bondman. The man informed Jean she was at Seaford, where he wanted the bail money.
‘I told him I had the money in the house, and I figured, he’s not going to fall for that. Jean shared his laughter with CBS New York, saying that he did fall for the hook and sinker.
Jean reported the scam quickly to the police.
When Gomez reached the home of the woman to get the bail money, two police officers had already arrived.
Ring video depicts Gomez dressed in a tan jacket, beanie-hat, and facemask arriving at Jean’s doorstep. Jean then gives her a yellow envelope with paper towels.
Unsuspecting conman turns and leaves with his loot. A pair of officers in uniform emerge from hiding, grab him, then pound him on Jean’s lawn. The homeowner watches from her porch.
Jean realized that Jean didn’t really know the reason she contacted the scammer to invite him to her house instead of hanging up on the phone as she had done so many times.
Jean said to NBC New York, “Bored grandma 1 bad guy 0,” with a chuckle.
Jean was praised by Patrick Ryder, Nassau Police Commissioner. He also suggested that Jean should be appointed as a commissioner.
Jean was praised by Patrick Ryder, Nassau Police Commissioner. He joked that Jean should be made a deputy commissioner
Ryder spoke out about criminal preying upon the elderly. Ryder stated that these individuals are able to sit at home and do nothing but to imagine ways they can take advantage.
Jean’s son claimed that Jean was proud of Jean because she helped to bring down a criminal. But he said that he would prefer if Jean hung up than continuing with the subterfuge.
Jean stated, “I was just playing a video game. It was fun.” Jean said, “I was playing a game. It was entertaining.” The guy was going to catch me lying. He believed me, so I must have been pretty smart.