Darien Police Warn of Scams Targeting Senior Citizens

Darien Police sent out a bulletin Tuesday alerting residents to a recent rash of scams targeting senior citizens.

“There really is no reason for the increase,” said police spokesman Nick Skweres.

Skweres said some of the schemes recently reported in Darien include:

• The lottery dcam:Con artists ask their targets to send a small sum of money with the understanding the senior will get a large amount in return. But the victim simply ends up out the money they sent the scammer.
• The “Grandma, get me out of jail” scam: A swindler poses as a grandchild stuck behind bars who needs money wired to him for bail. Junior, meanwhile, is nowhere near jail, and the crook takes off with the “bail.”
• The gypsy scam: A sales or service person distracts you at your front door while his partner in crime sneaks in through the back door and lifts valuables such as cash and jewelry. 

For more information on avoiding scams, visit the FBI website, or call Officer Nick Skweres at 630-353-8337. If you think you’ve been a victim of a con artist, call the Darien Police immediately by dialing 911.