CULPEPER COUNTY, Va. —
A fast-acting family and coordinated police work helped stop an 82-year-old Culpeper County resident from losing over $20,000 in a sophisticated phone scam aimed at seniors, according to the Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO).
On October 6, detectives responded to reports of a fraud in progress after an elderly victim received a call from a man posing as an attorney claiming their son had been arrested. The scammer demanded more than $20,000 in cash for legal fees, even playing the sound of someone crying in the background to make the situation seem real.
Fortunately, a family member recognized the warning signs and alerted authorities before any money was handed over. Investigators discovered that the scammer had used the name of a deceased attorney, “Harvey Goldman,” and had ties to a similar operation previously reported in Georgia.
To catch the suspect, detectives set up a controlled cash pickup. The alleged scammer, Yordanys Rodriguez, 33, of Bronx, New York, sent a rideshare driver from Chester, Pennsylvania, to collect the money. The driver, who cooperated fully, was not involved in the fraud.
With help from the Chester City Police Department, officers located and arrested Rodriguez on unrelated charges. During his arrest, he was reportedly found carrying a New York City Police Sergeant badge and credentials, suggesting he was impersonating law enforcement.
Rodriguez now faces charges in Virginia for conspiracy to commit a felony and obtaining money by false pretenses. He remains in custody in Pennsylvania awaiting extradition.
Sheriff T.W. Chilton condemned the scam and praised his detectives’ persistence.
“We are going to protect our seniors,” Chilton said. “Our detectives run these cases as far as we can to arrest everyone involved. It’s sick what these scammers do to the elderly, and the punishment should fit the age group they target.”
Authorities urge residents to stay alert for phone or email scams involving urgent financial requests or family emergencies. Anyone who suspects they’ve been targeted should contact the CCSO immediately.
