New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Charges have been filed for 26-year old Joel Eduardo Hernandez Quezda of Hartford, Connecticut following an investigation into a scam. On Feb. 8, an elderly male reported he had been duped out of $9,500.
The victim reported that around 9 a.m. he received a phone call from a male indicating the victim’s granddaughter was in jail and needed $9,500 to be bailed. Shortly after, a male and female arrived at the residence and retrieved the funds from the victim.
Police were made aware of the incident and it was soon learned that a second attempt was being made to take an additional $3,300 from the victim. NBPD patrol officers stopped a suspect vehicle in the victim’s neighborhood. Quezda, the operator, was arrested for an active warrant for larceny out of Stoughton District Court and a warrant out of Connecticut for a similar offense, as well as possession of an open container of alcohol.
As the investigation continued, Quezda was tied to the initial larceny and $1,100 was retrieved. Upon appearing at Stoughton Court on Feb. 10 he was released on personal recognizance.
These scams are becoming more frequent. NBPD strongly advises that if someone receives a call or message claiming to be a family member or a friend desperate for money:
– Resist the urge to act immediately, no matter how dramatic the story is.
– Check the story out with someone else in your family or circle of friends, even if you’ve been told to keep it a secret.
– Do not provide money.
– Contact police.
These situations are known as “family emergency scams” and you can learn more about how to deal with them here.
If you have any information on criminal activity in your neighborhood, the New Bedford Police Dept. wants to hear from you. You can leave an anonymous tip on our voicemail at (508) 991-6300 Ext. 1.
