A 25-year-old borough man lost over $1,000 when a scammer convinced him his father had been kidnapped, police said today.
Yesterday, a 25-year-old resident of Roselle Park responded to police headquarters to report that he was a victim of a scam.
He stated that he received a phone call from an unknown telephone number at approximately 6 p.m. that same day, where a male caller with a heavy Hispanic accent claimed that he was involved in a motor vehicle accident with the resident’s father. The caller than stated that he was holding his father hostage until $500 dollars was paid in exchange for his father’s safe return. The resident wired a money gram to the caller addressed to a fictitious name.
Next, the caller stated that something went wrong with his father and now needed to wire $600 dollars more. A second money order was sent. The caller advised he received the money and hung up the call.
The resident then called his father and found out that he was never in any accident or kidnapped.
This incident is still under investigation.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Roselle Park Police Department at 908-245-2300.