A Glens Falls resident was nearly out $16,000 after a phone caller claimed the person’s daughter had been arrested and needed bail, according to local police.
The money was already packed in a box and handed to an Uber driver before police realized the story was a scam and intercepted the delivery.
The victim went to the Glens Falls Police Department on June 16 around 1 p.m. looking for the release of a daughter the victim believed was being held in custody, according to WNYT.
Police said the caller had claimed the daughter was involved in a motor vehicle crash while texting and driving and needed $16,000 for bail. By the time the victim reached the station, the cash had already left the house.
The Cash Was Packed In A Box For An Uber Driver
The caller allegedly told the victim to withdraw $16,000 from the bank and say the money was for a home improvement project, according to WRGB.
The victim was then told to place the cash inside a box with packing materials and give it to an Uber driver who arrived at the home. Police said the caller also instructed the victim to wait an hour before going to the courthouse to arrange the daughter’s release.
That delay gave the scammer time to move the money away before the victim could learn there was no real bail emergency.
Police Used A License Plate Photo To Track The Driver
After the victim came to the police department, officers quickly recognized signs of a scam and started investigating. Using a photograph of the Uber driver’s license plate, Glens Falls police identified and contacted the driver, who was in the Clifton Park area while traveling to the drop-off location.
Police said the Uber driver cooperated and returned to the station with the package. The full $16,000 was recovered.
The department said the investigation into the people responsible remains ongoing.
The Scam Turned A Family Emergency Into A Cash Pickup
The caller did not ask for a wire transfer or gift cards. The scheme moved straight to cash and a delivery driver.
A parent or relative hears that a daughter has been arrested after a crash, gets told bail is needed right away, and is pushed to act before calling anyone else. In this case, the caller allegedly added bank instructions, packaging instructions, a driver pickup, and a one-hour delay before the victim should approach authorities.
The use of a rideshare driver also put distance between the scammer and the house. Police described the driver as cooperative, and the report does not accuse the driver of knowing what was inside the package.
How To Check A Bail Call Before Cash Leaves The House
Glens Falls police said the department will never contact people requesting cash payments. When bail is required for an incarcerated family member, police said payments are handled in person through the Warren County Correctional Facility.
Anyone who gets a call like this can hang up and call the jail, courthouse, police department, or family member directly using a number found independently. Glens Falls police said people who believe they or a family member has been targeted can call the department at 518-761-3870.
The Federal Trade Commission also advises people to slow down, contact the person who supposedly needs help, and check the story with another trusted person before sending money. A caller who demands secrecy, tells someone what to say at the bank, or sends a driver to collect cash is trying to move the money before the story can be checked.