Scammer lies about fatal crash to trick Monroe County grandmother out of money
Juan Romero
MONROE COUNTY, Mich. (FOX 2) - A scammer tricked an elderly Monroe County woman into giving him cash by telling her that her grandson was involved in a fatal crash and needed bail money, authorities say.
The Monroe County Sheriff's Office said Juan Romero, of Berwyn, Ill., called the victim on Oct. 17 pretending to be a Dundee police officer. He allegedly told the victim that she needed to provide bail money for her grandson, who was jailed after a crash.
Authorities said the victim, who was confused, went to the bank and withdrew the money for Romero, who came to her home and picked up the money.
A doorbell camera captured Romero while he was getting the money, and detectives were able to use the public's help to identify him.
Romero is charged with false pretenses of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000 and embezzlement from a vulnerable adult of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000.
Authorities are now searching for Romero. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact Det. Robert Blair at 734-240-7274.