Crime & Safety
Police: Commack Resident Victim of Phone Scam
Con artist fools homeowner into sending money to help a family member, but the call is a ruse.
A Commack resident is one of dozens of Long Islanders who fell victim to an ongoing phone scam.
According to Suffolk County police, the Commack resident received a call Aug. 13 in which the caller allegedly fooled the homeowner into believing that a family member was arrested and needed money for bail. Police said the victim sent the money, but then learned it was all a lie.
Police said dozens of Long Islanders have received similar calls over the past several months, in which the caller states that a family member has been in an auto accident, arrested or abducted and needs money to get out their predicament.
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Suffolk Chief of Detectives William Madigan told News 12 that 275 people have reported such calls since the end of last year. He said the scammers made a total of $71,000 off of 44 victims who sent money.
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