Seniors scammed out of thousands: Las Vegas police shut down fraud ring
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It’s a phone call that can send your heart racing: “Grandma, I’m in trouble. I need your help.”
For many of us, the instinct to protect our loved ones—especially our grandchildren—is as natural as breathing. But what if that desperate voice on the other end isn’t your grandchild at all, but a scammer out to steal your hard-earned savings?
That’s exactly what happened in a recent wave of “grandparent scams” uncovered by Las Vegas police, and the details are as unsettling as they are eye-opening.
Here at The GrayVine, we believe knowledge is your best defense. Let’s break down what happened, how these scams work, and—most importantly—how you can protect yourself and your family.
The Anatomy of the Grandparent Scam
The scam is as cruel as it is cunning. Young men—Matthew Acquah, Manuel Rivera, and Ashton Turunc—are accused of orchestrating a scheme that targeted older adults, convincing them that a beloved grandchild was in jail and needed money for bail or legal fees.
The emotional manipulation is intense: the caller often sounds frantic, sometimes even crying, and may know personal details gleaned from social media or public records.
Once the victim is hooked, the scammers up the ante. In one heartbreaking case, a grandmother received a call from someone she believed was her grandson, claiming he needed $25,000 for bail.
After she handed over the cash to a rideshare driver sent by the scammers, she received a second call from a supposed “public defender,” who claimed the situation had worsened and demanded another $10,000.
The woman, desperate to help, complied—only to realize later that it was all a lie.
A High-Tech Twist on an Old Con
What sets this scam apart is its use of modern technology. The suspects didn’t show up in person; instead, they arranged for rideshare drivers to pick up the cash, making it harder for police to track them down.
They even sent drivers to addresses hours away from Las Vegas, including locations in Nevada, Arizona, and Utah, to muddy the trail.
The group’s haul? Nearly $186,000 from at least 16 victims over the age of 60. And that’s just what’s been uncovered so far.
How the Police Cracked the Case
Thanks to the quick thinking of one victim, who snapped a photo of a suspect vehicle, detectives were able to trace the scam back to a local high school student.
Further investigation revealed text messages and Snapchat conversations among the suspects, boasting about their ill-gotten gains and even posing with stacks of $100 bills.
The investigation also uncovered similar scams in California, showing just how widespread and organized these operations can be.
Police say the group used rideshare drivers to collect the cash from victims, with the scam netting nearly $186,000 from at least 16 people over the age of 60. Image source: Sergiu Vălenaș / Unsplash.
Why Are Seniors Targeted?
Scammers prey on older adults for several reasons:
- Trust and Generosity: Many seniors are trusting and eager to help family members in need.
- Isolation: Scammers know that older adults may be more isolated and less likely to verify a story with other relatives.
- Access to Savings: Seniors often have more substantial savings, making them attractive targets.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones
The FBI and law enforcement agencies offer these crucial tips:
1. Pause and Verify: If you get a call like this, don’t act immediately. Hang up and call your grandchild or another family member directly using a number you know is correct.
2. Beware of Urgency: Scammers create a sense of panic to cloud your judgment. Take a breath and think before you act.
3. Limit Social Media Sharing: The more personal information you share online, the easier it is for scammers to impersonate your loved ones. Set your profiles to private and be cautious about what you post.
4. Never Send Cash or Gift Cards: Legitimate authorities will never ask you to send money via courier, wire transfer, or gift cards.
5. Ask Questions: If you’re suspicious, ask the caller questions only your real grandchild would know. Scammers often stumble when pressed for details.
6. Report Suspicious Calls: If you think you’ve been targeted, report it to the FBI at IC3.gov. The more information authorities have, the better they can protect others.
Have you or someone you know been targeted by a scam like this? Do you have tips for spotting a con artist? Share your stories and advice in the comments below!
For many of us, the instinct to protect our loved ones—especially our grandchildren—is as natural as breathing. But what if that desperate voice on the other end isn’t your grandchild at all, but a scammer out to steal your hard-earned savings?
That’s exactly what happened in a recent wave of “grandparent scams” uncovered by Las Vegas police, and the details are as unsettling as they are eye-opening.
Here at The GrayVine, we believe knowledge is your best defense. Let’s break down what happened, how these scams work, and—most importantly—how you can protect yourself and your family.
The Anatomy of the Grandparent Scam
The scam is as cruel as it is cunning. Young men—Matthew Acquah, Manuel Rivera, and Ashton Turunc—are accused of orchestrating a scheme that targeted older adults, convincing them that a beloved grandchild was in jail and needed money for bail or legal fees.
The emotional manipulation is intense: the caller often sounds frantic, sometimes even crying, and may know personal details gleaned from social media or public records.
Once the victim is hooked, the scammers up the ante. In one heartbreaking case, a grandmother received a call from someone she believed was her grandson, claiming he needed $25,000 for bail.
Several young men have been charged over a “grandparent scam” in Las Vegas, where they allegedly convinced seniors to hand over large sums of cash by claiming a family member was in jail and needed bail money. Image source: Hassan OUAJBIR / Unsplash.
After she handed over the cash to a rideshare driver sent by the scammers, she received a second call from a supposed “public defender,” who claimed the situation had worsened and demanded another $10,000.
The woman, desperate to help, complied—only to realize later that it was all a lie.
A High-Tech Twist on an Old Con
What sets this scam apart is its use of modern technology. The suspects didn’t show up in person; instead, they arranged for rideshare drivers to pick up the cash, making it harder for police to track them down.
They even sent drivers to addresses hours away from Las Vegas, including locations in Nevada, Arizona, and Utah, to muddy the trail.
The group’s haul? Nearly $186,000 from at least 16 victims over the age of 60. And that’s just what’s been uncovered so far.
How the Police Cracked the Case
Thanks to the quick thinking of one victim, who snapped a photo of a suspect vehicle, detectives were able to trace the scam back to a local high school student.
Further investigation revealed text messages and Snapchat conversations among the suspects, boasting about their ill-gotten gains and even posing with stacks of $100 bills.
The investigation also uncovered similar scams in California, showing just how widespread and organized these operations can be.
Police say the group used rideshare drivers to collect the cash from victims, with the scam netting nearly $186,000 from at least 16 people over the age of 60. Image source: Sergiu Vălenaș / Unsplash.
Police say the group used rideshare drivers to collect the cash from victims, with the scam netting nearly $186,000 from at least 16 people over the age of 60. Image source: Sergiu Vălenaș / Unsplash.
Why Are Seniors Targeted?
Scammers prey on older adults for several reasons:
- Trust and Generosity: Many seniors are trusting and eager to help family members in need.
- Isolation: Scammers know that older adults may be more isolated and less likely to verify a story with other relatives.
- Access to Savings: Seniors often have more substantial savings, making them attractive targets.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones
The FBI and law enforcement agencies offer these crucial tips:
1. Pause and Verify: If you get a call like this, don’t act immediately. Hang up and call your grandchild or another family member directly using a number you know is correct.
2. Beware of Urgency: Scammers create a sense of panic to cloud your judgment. Take a breath and think before you act.
3. Limit Social Media Sharing: The more personal information you share online, the easier it is for scammers to impersonate your loved ones. Set your profiles to private and be cautious about what you post.
4. Never Send Cash or Gift Cards: Legitimate authorities will never ask you to send money via courier, wire transfer, or gift cards.
5. Ask Questions: If you’re suspicious, ask the caller questions only your real grandchild would know. Scammers often stumble when pressed for details.
6. Report Suspicious Calls: If you think you’ve been targeted, report it to the FBI at IC3.gov. The more information authorities have, the better they can protect others.
Have you or someone you know been targeted by a scam like this? Do you have tips for spotting a con artist? Share your stories and advice in the comments below!
