The New Haven Police Department was informed from a local couple that they received a phone call from a person claiming to be their grandson with a phone number based out of Escondido, California with a “760” area code.
The following information includes the details of the call:
During the call, the New Haven residents were informed that their grandson had allegedly been in a taxi in Mexico during his spring break; the taxi had been driving erratically and was pulled over. During the stop, the taxi was searched and drugs were found in the wheel well. All of the occupants of the taxi and the driver were arrested. The caller asked for $1,000.00 so he could be released from jail. The New Haven resident suggested that his “grandson” should call his father for help. The caller stated he was afraid to get in trouble by calling his father.
The New Haven residents stated that something didn’t seem right and they hung up. The “760” number called them directly back. The caller then proceeded to hand off the phone to a person claiming to be an employee at the American Embassy. This person also asked for $1,000.00 to get their grandson out of jail. The New Haven residents disconnected the call and immediately called their relatives in California. The relatives confirmed their grandson was in school and not in Mexico.
• Do not send money to people you do not know.
• Do not release any personal information over the phone, especially names of relatives;
instead of asking, “Is this ‘Joe’?” ask “Who is this?” or “What is your name?”
• If you are called or approached by someone asking for money and you’re unsure if it is a
valid request, don’t hesitate to call our Communications Center at 748-7080 to report it.
