News

2 arrested after man falls victim to ‘grandparent scam’ in Quincy

QUINCY, Mass. — Two people were arrested after Quincy police said a local man fell victim to the “grandparent scam.”

The 82-year-old resident called police on July 20 to report he had fallen victim to the scam. He told police he was contacted by someone claiming to be from a police department in Connecticut.

He told police he thought his grandson was in trouble after being involved in a motor vehicle crash, so he sent $9,500 in cash to an address in Connecticut.

Then after receiving the money, the scammers called him back and convinced him that he needed to send another $40,000 because his grandson was being sued.

The victim was told that a courier would be coming by his house to get the money. And after receiving $20,000 cash, the scammer told the victim that he would be back the following day for the rest of the cash.

That’s when the victim learned his grandson was fine and he had been scammed.

The scammers didn’t return the following day, but contacted the victim several times trying to convince him to send more cash, according to police.

On Tuesday police said they learned that the “courier” was expected to arrive at the victim’s home at 3 p.m. to pick up the rest of the money.

Detectives from the Bureau of Criminal Investigations and Special Investigations Unit set up surveillance in the area, and around 6:45 p.m. they noticed a Volvo station wagon with three people inside that had been circling in the area.

Police said the driver parked the vehicle in a convenience store parking lot and began to walk towards the victim’s residence.

That’s when police approached the man as he got closer to the victim’s home. Detectives also spoke with the two other people inside the vehicle.

Steven Patzan-Porix, 30, of Jamaica Plain was arrested and charged with larceny by false pretense (over $250), attempt to commit a crime, disturbing the peace, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, and conspiracy.

Nicholas Huntsman, 23, of Saugus, was arrested and charged with conspiracy, attempt to commit a crime and operating a motor vehicle without a license.

Huntsman had positioned himself in the driver’s seat when Patazan-Porix left the vehicle, and police said they believe Huntsman was going to be the getaway driver after Patzan-Porix took the victim’s money

The female passenger was identified and sent on her way.

The investigation is ongoing.