TULARE, California — A 79-year-old woman was swindled out of $9,600 in a scam involving a fraudulent bail bondsman, Tulare Police reported. The suspect, 24-year-old Manuel Rivera Cueto from Los Angeles, was arrested after trying to collect additional funds.
On January 15, 2025, the victim received a phone call claiming her grandson had been arrested, with a bail bondsman requesting $9,600 for his release. A courier was sent to pick up the cash. However, the victim became suspicious and contacted family members, who confirmed the scam, prompting her to report it to the police.
The next day, Rivera Cueto called again, demanding an additional $22,000. After negotiations, the amount was reduced to $5,000. The Tulare Police Department’s Crime Specific Unit tracked the victim’s residence and surveilled the situation. They followed the male courier out of the city and intercepted him near Tipton. It was later revealed that the Uber driver involved had no knowledge of the scam and cooperated fully with authorities.
Rivera Cueto was apprehended at a restaurant in Castaic, California, while trying to retrieve the money. Evidence from the initial $9,600 transaction was found in his vehicle. During interrogation, Rivera Cueto admitted to his involvement in the scam and claimed that he had acted as a “mule” for similar scams about 10 times. He also had an outstanding warrant in Las Vegas for 14 counts of theft by false pretenses.
The case continues to be investigated, and authorities are working to track down the other individuals involved.