HUDSON, Iowa — A Florida man is facing felony charges after allegedly scamming an elderly Iowa resident out of a significant sum of money through a fraudulent bail scheme.
The Hudson Police Department responded to a fraud complaint on February 24. The victim reported receiving a phone call claiming that a family member had been involved in an accident, injured someone, and was in police custody. The caller requested cash to secure the family member’s bail. The victim, believing the claim to be true, handed over the money to an unknown individual.
Authorities say that similar scams have been reported across Iowa. On February 27, police arrested Eddie Benitez-Aberus, 33, of Miami, Florida, in connection with the fraud. He faces felony charges, including theft from an older individual (Class B felony) and conspiracy to commit a non-forcible felony (Class D felony).
Hudson police are urging the public to stay vigilant and cautious of phone and internet scams. They advise anyone who receives suspicious calls to contact law enforcement immediately before taking any action.