Phone scam leads to arrest in New York City

Bronx, New York – On Thursday, October 21, 2021 at approximately 6:10 p.m., New York State Police Investigators arrested Leslie Cruz Vasquez, age 20, of Jersey City, New Jersey, and an 18-year-old, for Attempted Grand Larceny in the 2^nd Degree – a class C felony, Scheme to Defraud in the 1^st Degree – a class E felony and Conspiracy in the 5^th Degree – a class A misdemeanor.

The Investigators were notified about a phone scam in upstate New York where the victims were tricked into thinking their son was arrested after being in a serious car accident caused by driving under the influence of alcohol. The victims were instructed by the caller, who pretended to be the lawyer representing their son, to deliver approximately $80,000.00 in bail money to New York City. Cruz Vasquez and the 18-year-old suspect were arrested after the investigation revealed they were involved with the scam, pretending to be associates of the attorney representing their son, and accepting the money from the victims.

Leslie Cruz Vasquez and the 18-year-old suspect were charged with Attempted Grand Larceny in the 2^nd Degree, Scheme to Defraud in the 1^st Degree and Conspiracy in the 5^th Degree. They were remanded to Bronx Central Booking pending arraignment.

Additional information about phone scams can be found on the Office of the Attorney General’s website - Click here.