The Seal Beach Police Department recently released photos of a suspect in a “grandparent” scam that cost an elderly Seal Beach woman $30,000.
The pictures are part of a joint SBPD and New York Police Department investigation.
On Feb. 18, 2013, 86-year-old Seal Beach widow received a frightening call from someone claiming to be her grandson “Randy,” saying that he was in a Mexican jail and needed money sent to him to secure his release. The caller claiming to be the victim’s grandson asked her to send $15,000 in cash addressed to “Matthew Jones” to an address in New York City. The address was identified as a FedEx business office in a downtown New York Sheraton Hotel. On Feb. 19, the victim sent the cash to the address.
On Feb. 20, 2013, two days after the initial call, the same individual called the victim and asked for an additional $15,000 in cash be sent to “Matthew Jones” at the New York address. That day, based on fearing for her grandson and trusting the caller, the grandmother sent another $15,000 cash.
A false Canadian driver’s license was used to pick up the packages from the New York Fed Ex business center.
After the discovery of the incident, the victim contacted the Seal Beach Police Department and an investigation was started. Detectives from the Seal Beach and New York police departments partnered to pursue all leads in this case. Surveillance video and still photos were captured of the suspect picking up the packages.
The suspect is described as male Caucasian, medium to heavy build. He appears to be in his mid- to late 30s. Of particular interest is the suspect’s distinctive goatee shown in the attached picture. The goatee appears to be braided into a “sparrow” style beard.
“Identity theft is an epidemic. The investigation of identity theft and fraud perpetrated against our senior population is a Seal Beach Police Department priority. Our senior residents are vulnerable to such scams and it is a community wide responsibility to protect them from victimization,” said Seal Beach Police Chief Joe Stilinovich. Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call Seal Beach Police Detective Mary Martinez at (562) 799-4100, ext. 1110 or email her at mmartinez@sealbeachca.gov.
How to keep seniors safe
The police offer the following advice to protect seniors:
• Make your elderly loved ones aware that this scam exists.
• Ask the caller detailed questions only they would know.
• If a relative calls panicking and needs money wired, tell your parents to verify the story by calling another relative. If the caller says to keep it a secret, that’s a red flag.
• Check the caller’s number. Overseas, out-of-country or out-of-state calls are another common indicator of the scam.
• Hang up and call the family member at their home or cell number. If “Josh” is at home, he’s obviously not in jail.
• Have someone else in the family check out the story no matter what.
If a senior is a victim
• Call the bank immediately to stop payment.
• Call the police right away and tell them what happened.
• If the money is still being processed, the person attempting the theft may still be waiting on the transfer and could be apprehended.
• Contact the three credit bureaus and let them know that you believe your identity has been compromised.
• Don’t be embarrassed that you’ve been victimized. Report all of these activities to the police department.
For up-to-date information on scams like the “Family Member in Distress scam,” visit the Federal Trade Commission’s identity theft website: http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/scam-alerts.
Crime Log Compiled by Charles M. Kelly
IN SEAL?BEACH
Monday, May 6
Suspicious Person—5:42 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller said a woman customer had been in the store for four hours and was not leaving.
The caller said she was in the bathroom, washing her hair. The caller thought she might be under the influence of something.
Police unit 206 checked out the woman in question. She was interviewed in the field. She was new to the area.
No further police services were necessary.
Tuesday, May 7
Petty Theft Report—9:45 a.m.—Lampson Avenue—The crime apparently occurred on Friday, May 3. Loss: $600 in gift cards and a purse were taken from a citizen’s unlocked vehicle.
Wednesday, May 8
Suspicious Property—00:00 a.m.—Seal and Dolphin—The caller reported that a safe door was located on the sand near one of the lifeguard towers. Not the safe, just the safe door. The caller said the door appeared to have ben forced off the safe. Property booked. Report taken.
Grand Theft Report—9:58 a.m.—Electric Avenue—The caller said a patio set valued at $5,000 was taken off the front porch, possibly around midnight. The caller heard noises at that time. Report taken.
Thursday, May 9
Garage Door—6:48 a.m.—Electric Avenue—The caller’s elderly neighbor reportedly left her garage door open. The caller stood by to make sure no one went in or out. The garage door was secured. No further police services were necessary. Log entry.
IN ROSSMOOR
Monday, May 6
Burglary Report—8:18 a.m.—Shakespeare Drive.
Tuesday, May 7
Suspicious Person or Circumstances—8:20 p.m.—Hedwig Road—A deputy checked the basketball court area for multiple juveniles who parked their vehicle in the park with the headlights pointed at the basketball court.
Citizen Assist—7 p.m.—Wallingsford Road—The caller said a teacher took the caller’s son out of the main classroom at his school and put him in another office to work on a project for several hours. The caller felt that this was bullying on the part of the teacher.
Wednesday, May 8
Firework Violation—5:41 p.m.—Woodstock Road—The caller said juveniles were playing with fireworks in the back yard of the location.
Suspicious Person or Circumstances—8:59 p.m.—Baskerville Road—The occupants of a pick up drove by and screamed at the caller. They said she was going to die or going to die young. There were at least two men in the car.
Thursday, May 9
Burglary Report—11:25 p.m.—Walker Lee Drive—Guns were stolen after someone pried open a gun safe in the caller’s garage. The caller had already cleared the house before calling the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
Friday, May 10
Suspicious Person or Circumstances—3:13 p.m.—Shakespeare Drive.
