NEW ROCHELLE, NY (May 9, 2023) — New Rochelle detectives have apprehended a suspect for Grand Larceny in what has been dubbed a “Grandparent Scam,” a prevalent nationwide trend where con artists contact vulnerable individuals and claim to be a grandchild or family friend in need of bail money.
The suspect, identified as 28-year-old Roger Mena-Carrion from the Bronx, NY, made a call to a New Rochelle resident, pretending to be a friend in jail and in need of $15,000 for bail money. The resident grew suspicious and contacted the authorities, who arranged to meet the suspect under the guise of giving him the money.
Instead, when the suspect arrived to collect the funds, he was met by New Rochelle detectives and taken into custody. Mena-Carrion now faces charges under NYS Penal Law Section 155.35 for 3rd-degree grand larceny, a D felony.
These types of scams are becoming increasingly common nationwide, and the New Rochelle Police Department is urging anyone who receives a similar call to contact their local police department and report the incident.
The arrest comes as law enforcement agencies across the country are stepping up their efforts to combat these types of scams, which have resulted in significant financial losses for unsuspecting victims. According to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans lost nearly $1.9 billion to fraud in 2020, with a significant portion of those losses attributed to imposter scams like the one that led to Mena-Carrion’s arrest.
This case serves as a reminder to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was generated by ChatGPT based on an NRPD press release.