MARGATE - Police are continuing their investigation into a scam that bilked a Margate woman out of a large amount of cash.
Officers were dispatched to a resident's home at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17 to investigate a complaint of possible fraud. The victim told officers she received a phone call the prior evening from a male posing as a lawyer. The male told the victim he needed money from the victim in order to bail her grandson out of jail.
The male then came to the victim's residence and she turned over a large amount of cash to the male and he told her she could not contact her grandson at any time because a gag order was in effect.
While supplying officers with her statement, the victim's phone rang again displaying the same number used by the male the prior evening. The victim answered and the male was now asking for another large sum of money and stated her grandson was still in jail and required more money for his release. Officers utilized this opportunity, with assistance from the victim, to set up a meeting with the male on the phone leading him to believe he would be meeting with the victim to secure the large amount of cash somewhere in town.
At approximately 4:15 p.m., officers took the male into custody without incident. He was identified as Raymond Urena-Lopez, 22, of Jamaica, New York. He was charged with one count of theft by deception and one count of conspiracy to commit theft by deception.
Evidence recovered from Urena-Lopez was also seized and more charges are pending further investigation. He was taken to the Atlantic County Justice Facility.
Sgt. Steve Swift and Officer Ryan Mazzeo are investigating the case.
The Margate City Police Department would like to stress the importance of being aware of scams such as this one and to alert police as soon as they believe they are being targeted as a possible victim. Call the Margate Police non-emergency line at 609-822-1151 and if you believe it is an emergency, dial 911.
