Authorities in Culpeper and Orange both announced recent arrests in unrelated cases involving attempted scams of local senior citizens by out-of-state individuals.
The Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office was notified Oct. 6 of a fraud involving an 82-year-old taking place within the county, according to a statement issued last week. An individual claiming to be an attorney representing their son on a criminal charge was requesting over $20,000 dollars, investigators learned.
A family member stopped the senior citizen from losing money even though elaborate schemes were employed including a man crying in the background on the phone call and telling the senior citizen that their son is facing severe charges, the statement says.
The fake attorney used the name Harvey Goldman and other false information to scam the victim. Detectives learned the scam had been used before in Georgia and continued to ruse the suspect, located in Chester, Pennsylvania, into picking up cash. The sheriff’s office contacted members of the Chester City Police Department and received assistance in identifying the suspect, identified as Yordanys Rodriguez, 33, of the Bronx, New York.
Rodriguez was arrested by Chester City Police Department on unrelated charges. Local detectives obtained warrants for conspiracy to commit a felony and obtaining money by false pretenses on Oct. 7. During the arrest and brief struggle, Rodriguez was reportedly found in possession of a New York City Police sergeant badge and credentials, impersonating an officer.
He is currently being held in Pennsylvania until he can be transported back to Culpeper to face charges.
“This is a very elaborate and convincing scheme that targets the elderly, and we encourage anyone who feels like they may be a victim of a scam to contact our office for guidance,” according to the Culpeper Sheriff’s Office statement.
Sheriff Tim Chilton said his office will protect local seniors.
“Our detectives know to run these cases out as far as we can and arrest everyone we can get our hands on that’s involved,” he said in his office’s statement. “It’s sick what these people are doing to the elderly across the country. The punishment should fit the age group they target in my opinion!”
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office worked on a fraud case earlier this spring involving a senior citizen that resulted in a conviction last month of Staten Island, New York, man Oles Kovalchuk — and the repayment of $21,000 that was taken.
The sheriff’s office was notified in March that a 77-year-old woman had been defrauded of the money after clicking on a fraudulent link that led her to believe child pornography was on her phone. The victim, under the scammers’ direction, withdrew money in separate transactions and the cash was picked up in person, according to the sheriff’s office.
A plan was devised to lure the scammers back, and with assistance from the Virginia State Police, a sting operation was conducted on March 11. Kovalchuk arrived at the victim’s residence and was immediately arrested.
He pleaded guilty on Sept. 25 in Orange County Circuit Court to a lesser charge, trespassing, and was given a 12-month suspended sentence. Kovalchuk was ordered to pay the money back, and he did, according to the sheriff’s office.
Orange investigators also identified a individual suspected of working with him, Vladyslav Novoseltsev, who authorities said fled the country five days after the arrest. The sheriff’s office has warrants out for his arrest should he ever return to the U.S.
“It is important to note that in cases like this, it is very uncommon for victims to recoup the money they have lost. This case stands out as a rare example of restitution being made,” according to a sheriff’s office statement.
“The Sheriff’s Office remains committed to protecting our citizens from fraud and holding scammers accountable. We encourage everyone to remain cautious when receiving unsolicited messages, links, or phone calls. If you suspect fraudulent activity, please report it immediately.”
Source: www.dailyprogress.com