Brooklyn Man Arraigned for Alleged Grandparent Scheme

AYER – Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan has announced that NnabuikeIbe, 20, of Brooklyn, NY, was arraigned yesterday in Ayer District Court and charged with larceny over $250 from a person over the age of 60 and attempting to commit a crime in connection with an alleged scheme to steal $6,000 from a 79-year-old- Westford woman by pretending to be the victim’s grandson.

Judge J. Elizabeth Cremens set bail at $3,000 cash and ordered the defendant to stay away from, and have no contact with, the victim. The next scheduled hearing in this case is Monday, August 15.

“In this case the defendant allegedly preyed upon a woman’s fears that her grandson’s safety was compromised and that he was need of her help,” said District Attorney Ryan. “Unfortunately, our office is seeing an increased frequency of so-called ‘grandparent scams,’ designed to financially exploit seniors. This incident is an important reminder that these types of scams flourish in secrecy when potential victims are afraid to alert authorities or their loved ones. If anyone believes that they may be at risk they should not hesitate to contact police.”

 On Wednesday, June 18, 2015, Westford Police responded to a report of an alleged fraud. Upon arrival at the victim’s home, authorities were informed that the victim had received a phone call the previous day from an individual who claimed to be the victim’s grandson stating that he had been arrested while driving a co-worker's car and that police had searched the vehicle and found narcotics. The defendant allegedly told the victim, while posing as her grandson, that he was embarrassed to tell his parents about the incident and that he needed $6,000 for cash bail at a Boston precinct. The victim then allegedly received a follow-up call from the defendant who claimed to be a police officer holding her grandson in custody and informing her of the bail required for his release.

The victim proceeded to withdraw $6,000 cash to be transferred into a Bank of America account. The defendant allegedly also told the victim that because he had filed the paperwork too late, the victim’s grandson was going to be held overnight.

The defendant allegedly called the victim again the following day, after she had spoken to Westford Police, and informed her that because Boston Police had discovered more narcotics in the motor vehicle than previously thought, the victim would need to wire an additional $7,500 cash to a different Bank of America account. After contacting her daughter, the victim learned that her grandson had in fact not been arrested.

During the course of the investigation authorities discovered that the bank account the victim had wired the funds to was located in Brooklyn, NY.

These charges are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The prosecutor assigned to this case is Assistant District Attorney David Kete. The Victim Witness Advocate is Laura Schwertz.

The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office works with local law enforcement and community centers to educate the public on ways to protect themselves from scam artists. District Attorney Ryan recommends that members of the public avoid sharing their Social Security number, be cognizant of the fact that the IRS or banks will never ask for your personal information over the phone, and to be cautious when inviting a stranger into their home.