Yesterday, a 25-year-old Roselle Park resident went to police headquarters to report that he was a victim of a scam.
He stated that he received a phone call from an unknown telephone number at approximately 6 p.m. that same day when a male caller with a heavy Hispanic accent claimed that he was involved in a motor vehicle accident with the resident’s father. The caller then stated that he was holding his father hostage until $500 was paid in exchange for his father’s safe return.
The resident wired a money gram – addressed to a fictitious name – to the caller. The caller then stated that something went wrong with his father and $600 more needed to be wired. A second money order was sent.
The caller advised that he received the money and hung up the call.
The resident then called his father and found out that he was never in any accident nor was he kidnapped.
The incident is still under investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Roselle Park Police Department (RPPD) at (908) 245-2300.