A Yarmouth woman was almost scammed out of $10,000 after she received a call from someone claiming to be a bail bondsman asking for bail for her son, according to the Yarmouth Police Department.
The bank where the 96-year-old woman attempted to withdraw the money called police after suspecting a fraudulent transaction. A Methuen man and a Lawrence woman have been charged in the alleged scam.
A surveillance team set up by the Yarmouth Police Detective Division and the Massachusetts State Police tracked down the money the woman gave to a ride-share driver, who was not involved in the scam, which led them to an address in Worcester. Following the arrests of the man, 34, and the woman, 41, the police searched their vehicle and said they found $30,000. Police allege that amount was from a previous scam that happened in western Massachusetts.
Scams like the one alleged in Yarmouth have been reported nationwide, according to Jefferson Willis, a Yarmouth police officer.
The man and woman were arraigned in Barnstable District Court on Dec. 17 on charges of conspiracy and larceny by a single scheme over $1,200, police said.
Yarmouth police urge anyone who receives a call from an unknown person requesting money to not send money and to contact local police.
Desiree Nikfardjam is a reporter covering breaking and trending news. You can reach her at DNikfardjam@gannett.com.
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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Two people charged in alleged $10K scam of 96-year-old Yarmouth woman