NEW YORK._ The Dominican Anthony Rosario Méndez, 24, of the Bronx, was accused by Brooklyn prosecutors of posing as a “lawyer” to swindle and steal thousands of dollars from numerous elderly people between the ages of 74 to 90 years, telling them that he would pay the bonds of the grandchildren of victims who were supposedly in prison.
NEW YORK._ The Dominican Anthony Rosario Méndez, accused of defrauding numerous elderly people by posing as a lawyer to steal thousands of dollars for alleged bail payments for imprisoned grandchildren. (Brooklyn Prosecutor’s Office photo).
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric González said in a statement that Rosario Méndez faces 10 counts of third-degree grand theft, and one each counts fourth-degree robbery, attempted third-degree grand theft, and first-degree plan. to disappoint.
The defendant, according to prosecutors, was asking for up to $ 20 thousand dollars from the elderly he sent for, telling them that the incarcerated grandchildren had to pay their bail or otherwise they would not be released from jail.
The FBI maintains a permanent campaign warning the elderly not to fall into the trap.
Rosario Méndez was released without bail and will have to return to Brooklyn Criminal Court in February, the statement explained.
Méndez communicated with his victims by phone and then
a messenger traveled to the grandparents’ house to collect the envelopes with the cash.
The scam spread since March 2019 to May of this year, and the alleged bonds ranged from $ 3,000 to $ 20,000, the district attorney said.
Five grandmothers and three grandfathers were targets of the scam.
“We should all be aware of bail scams like the one this defendant was a part of and be careful with any phone calls from strangers asking for cash,” said the Public Ministry in the release.
“Never agree to hand over money without contacting your grandson, his parents or other relatives to determine if they are safe,” Gonzalez said, asking to report any suspicious scam calls to authorities.
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