By Jennifer Kohlhepp, Staff Writer
WEST WINDSOR — Two people in West Windsor didn’t fall prey to a local scammer that threatens the lives of loved ones for money.
An unknown male with a Hispanic accent tried to scam a 50-year-old Yardville resident out of $1,000 by calling him on his cellular phone when he was in West Windsor at 9:48 a.m. May 5.
The caller said that the victim’s relative had been involved in an accident in Trenton and that he needed to wire the money via Western Union or he would "put a bullet in his head."
"It was determined that the relative in question was fine and that this was clearly a scam," Sgt. Mark P. Lee said.
Police believe the same unknown male with a very heavy Hispanic accent called an unidentified victim while at Carnegie Center at 1:58 p.m. May 6. The suspect told the victim that a family member had been injured in a motor vehicle crash and that the family member had been taken from the scene of the accident to an undisclosed location and had a gun to his head. The suspect said his family would kill the family member if the victim did not wire $5,000.
"It was determined during the call that the family member was fine and the call from the suspect was a scam," Sgt. Lee said.
Detective Jason Jones said in some cases, the male has called back multiple times asking for money and threatening to kill a loved one.
"Do not send money and contact your local police department should you receive one of these phone calls," Detective Jones said.
The West Windsor Township Police issued a warning about the phone scam on May 6.
"In both of this agency’s recent reports, the phone call appears to originate from a local 609 area code phone number," Detective Jones said.
