YARMOUTH – Yarmouth Police thwarted a potential $10,000 fraud scheme on Monday morning after receiving a tip from a local bank about a suspicious transaction. A 96-year-old Yarmouth resident had been duped by a scammer posing as a bail bondsman. The scammer convinced the elderly woman that her son was in jail and instructed her to withdraw money for his bail.
Yarmouth Police Officer Jefferson Willis responded to the scene and quickly identified the transaction as fraudulent. He noted the scam was consistent with similar fraudulent activities reported across the country. The scammer had told the victim to place the money in a box for pickup by a ride-share driver, who was unaware of the scheme.
Thanks to swift action by Yarmouth Police Detectives and the Massachusetts State Police, the fraudulent package was tracked to Worcester. Upon delivery, Carlos Santos, 34, of Methuen, and Maria Ayala, 41, of Lawrence, were arrested. Both suspects were charged with Conspiracy and Larceny by a Single Scheme Over $1200. They were taken into custody and transported back to the Yarmouth Police Department for processing.
A subsequent search of the suspects’ vehicle led to the discovery of an additional $30,000, which had been stolen in a separate scam in Western Massachusetts. Santos and Ayala were arraigned in Barnstable District Court on Tuesday morning.
The Yarmouth Police Department praised the quick-thinking bank employee who alerted authorities and the officers and detectives who worked together to prevent a major financial loss. Their actions also led to the recovery of thousands of dollars from other victims of similar scams.
Fraud schemes like these, which often involve impersonating authority figures or using a loved one’s misfortune to manipulate victims, have become a nationwide concern. If you receive a suspicious call demanding large sums of money due to an emergency, Yarmouth Police advise that you first contact your loved one directly, refrain from sending money, and notify local law enforcement.
