Stoughton Police Assist Federal Authorities in Lengthy Grandparent Scam Investigation

STOUGHTON — Chief Donna McNamara reports that the Stoughton Police Department recently assisted federal law enforcement agencies following an investigation into a resident who was the victim of a grandparent scam targeting elderly victims.

In early November, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island charged two men with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft for their alleged roles as couriers in grandparent scams that targeted seniors in multiple states, including Rhode Island and Massachusetts. For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s investigation, click here.

Stoughton Police detectives assisted Homeland Security Investigations in their investigation after a Stoughton resident was scammed out of $20,000 in March related to a grandparent scam.

The so-called “grandparent scam” is when scammers call an individual and inform them that a relative is in an emergency or has been arrested or detained, sometimes in another state or foreign country. The scammers may pose as the victim’s relative or a lawyer. Some scammers may also use artificial intelligence to clone a loved one’s voice. 

“I want to commend the work of our Stoughton Police detectives for their outstanding work in assisting Homeland Security Investigations to identify the suspects behind this crime,” Chief McNamara said. “These scams prey on the elderly, exploiting their trust and vulnerability to steal their hard-earned money, and it is vital that we take swift action to bring those responsible to justice.”

Stoughton Police urge all residents to remember that any detainment of relatives can be confirmed with the arresting police department or through the local district court. Government agencies, including law enforcement, never contact the public demanding payment by wire transfer or by prepaid cards when individuals are being held on bail. 

While there are many different types of fake emergency scams, there are often commonalities: the scammer says it’s urgent and only you can help, the scammer says it’s important to keep it a secret, and the scammer plays with your emotions and counts on you to act quickly without verifying the story. 

Avoiding fake emergency and “grandparent” scams:
If someone calls or sends a message claiming to be a family member or a friend desperate for money:

• Resist the urge to act immediately, no matter how dramatic the story is.
• Verify the person’s identity by asking questions that a stranger could not answer.
• Call a phone number for your family member or friend that you know to be genuine.
• Check the story out with someone else in your family or circle of friends, even if you’ve been told to keep it a secret.
• Don’t wire money or send a check or money order by overnight delivery or courier.
• Report possible fraud at ftc.gov/complaint or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP.

While it is extremely difficult to recover funds lost to these scams, residents and community members should always report them to the police. Residents who believe they may have fallen victim to such a scam are encouraged to contact the Stoughton Police Department at 781-344-2424.

For more information about scams, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website or the state’s Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation.

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