A Bronx woman has been arrested on grand larceny charges after Ontario County authorities say she was part of the so-called “grandparent scam.”
Sheriff Kevin Henderson says the victim was contacted in January by a man who claimed his grandson was in jail in Atlanta, Georgia and needed $5,000 bail money. The victim sent the money, but soon after realized he’d been scammed.
Investigators were able to follow the money to a bank account belonging to 21-year-old Merlyn Santiago, who was caught on video withdrawing the money.
Officials suggest you should have a code word with family members so you know if someone is really in trouble or if it’s a scam.