Two charged after trying to scam 96-year-old Yarmouth resident out of $10,000, police say

YARMOUTH, Mass. — Two suspected scammers were arrested Monday for allegedly trying to steal thousands of dollars from a Yarmouth resident.

Carlos Santos, 34, of Methuen, and Maria Ayala, 41, of Lawrence, were charged with conspiracy and larceny by a single scheme over $1,200.

According to Yarmouth Police, the dispatch center received a 911 call from a local bank Monday morning reporting a potentially fraudulent transaction.

Investigators say a 96-year-old Yarmouth woman was attempting to withdraw $10,000 after receiving a call from a man claiming to be a bail bondsman, who told the would-be victim her son was in jail and needed bail money.

Yarmouth Police Officer Jefferson Willis responded to the scene to assist the victim, and determined the fraudulent transaction was similar to other nationwide scams.

Officer Willis learned the would-be scammer told the victim to place the money in a box and it would be picked up by a ride-share driver. Police say the driver was not involved in the scam.

A surveillance team was established with the assistance of the Massachusetts State Police, who tracked the package delivery to Worcester.

Both Santos and Ayala were then apprehended at the scene and transported to Yarmouth Police Headquarters.

Police allegedly found an additional $30,000 in their vehicle following a subsequent search. Authorities say that money was from another ruse in Western Massachusetts.

Santos and Ayala were arraigned in Barnstable District Court on Tuesday morning.

“The Yarmouth Police Department commends the actions of the bank employee who noticed the transaction and alerted police as well as the Police Officers and Detectives who worked together to successfully prevent a substantial loss of money and recovered thousands of dollars that had already been sent by people who were scammed,” police wrote in a social media post. “If you receive a call from an unknown person requesting large amounts of money due to a loved one’s misfortune, attempt to contact that loved one, do not send any money, and contact the local police department.”

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