by Chief John Moore
2/28/2014

The Holliston Police Department would like to alert all residents to the existence of a scheme that has been perpetrated on unsuspecting victims, especially seniors in our community, whereby the suspect calls a resident pretending to be a “relative” that has been arrested and is in desperate need of funds for his or her release from jail. The resident/victim is asked to immediately gather money in the form of a cashier’s check or Greendot Money Paks and to send the money through an internet provider (typically an EBay account) to the suspect. Once the money is sent it is gone and irretrievable.

We have had one of our residents scammed by way of this scheme in the last couple days. A total of $6,000.00 was lost. This is the second victim in town in 3 months.  

In reality there is no “relative” and there has been no arrest. The suspect targets those most vulnerable to this scam, he probably does some research on the target’s extended family, and he makes sure the money is routed to him by way of an untraceable path.

Any arrest would be confirmable by the law enforcement agency that took custody of the arrestee. Bail, if set, is usually in the form of cash paid in hand to a Bail Commissioner or by way of a bond set according to and confirmed by an officer of the Court.

Please do not fall prey to this scam. If you are contacted in a similar fashion please document what you remember and contact the Police Department immediately.

HOLLISTON POLICE DEPARTMENT – DETECTIVE DIVISION