Earlier this week, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr issued a warning about a so-called grandparent scam where suspects posing as a family member in trouble - usually a grandchild - are able to steal money from senior citizens.
An elderly couple from North Hall County nearly fell victim to such a scheme last week, according to the Hall County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff's Office spokesman Derreck Booth said detectives were able to thwart the scam before two New York men got away with the couple's money.
"According to the investigation, the scammer will place a call and tell the potential victim that one of their family members, usually a grandchild, is in legal trouble," Booth said in statement, explaining the way the scam works. "The caller will indicate cash is required to secure bond or pay legal fees associated with the so-called arrest of a family member. The scammer typically asks for more than $10,000 and sends one or two 'representatives' to the victim’s home to collect the money."
The Hall County case came to light on Thursday, Sept. 9 when authorities received notification of the fraud in progress. The suspects apparently drove to the potential victims' residence with the intent to collect $12,000 in cash.
"After being notified of the fraud in progress, deputies and investigators set up a sting operation at the victim’s residence and apprehended the two men who arrived to get the cash," Booth said.
He said both suspects, Brandon A. Massey, 23, of Springfield Gardens, New York, and Jamal Clifford Davis, 28, of Queens Village, New York, are charged with exploitation of an elder person. Massey also faces charges of fleeing/attempting to elude a police officer and reckless driving because he attempted to drive away as deputies converged on the scene.
Booth said it appears both men were operating out of the Atlanta area, and it is possible the base of the operation is in New Jersey or New York.
"HCSO detectives began networking the details of the crime to other law enforcement agencies in Georgia," Booth explained. "As a result, authorities in Walton, Fannin and Hart counties identified similar circumstances in the their jurisdictions."
Booth said Hall County investigators are also working with the IRS and the FBI on the case.
Booth said anyone in Hall County who recently received a call similar to the one in the local case can call investigators at 770-297-4686.
