WEST ORANGE, NJ — Two Paterson men are charged with duping a Midwestern grandfather in a fake bail scheme, according to a May 22 press release from the township of West Orange. Jose Alexander Mercedes, 28, and Reynaldito Ulloacastillo, 31, were arrested on May 17 in a sting by West Orange detectives as the two men allegedly attempted to collect a package they thought contained $2,000 from the elderly victim.
The victim, who lives in Missouri, reported that he received a phone call on May 15 from a person who identified himself as “James Johnson.”
“Johnson” reportedly told the victim that his grandson was in jail in New Jersey on a driving while under the influence charge. The perpetrator told the victim that his grandson needed $600 cash for bail; the victim promptly sent cash to an address in West Orange, he told police. Later contacted by his grandson, the elderly man realized he had been scammed. When “Johnson” called again and requested the victim send another $2,000, detectives asked the victim to send an envelope without the money and the men were arrested onsite.
Police are investigating whether the men are involved in a similar scam in Iowa.
Two Paterson men charged in ‘grandparent scheme’ added by Editor on
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