REVERE, Mass. — A disturbing phone scam targeting elderly Massachusetts residents in multiple communities robbed innocent victims of thousands of dollars, and a man accused of carrying out the scam actually went to the victim’s home to pick up the cash in person, officials say.
Police say 21-year-old Ali Almashhadani allegedly scammed an elderly Revere couple out of more than $22,000 and nearly $4,000 in gift cards – and he drove all the way from New York to Revere to take the money directly from the couple.
Court documents revealed how the alleged scheme played out: the couple received a call from someone impersonating their grandson who said he was in Mexico and needed help. The charade lasted over the course of several days as the couple withdrew more and more money.
The two were instructed to give the cash to a courier, Almashhadani, and that the money would go to the U.S. Embassy to help their grandson get out of trouble. The couple was even instructed to drive to a Lynnfield Nike store to purchase gift cards.
And this isn’t the first time this scam has been pulled. Police say Almashhadani and 20-year-old Mark Gabra are also behind a case out of Norwood where an elderly woman was scammed out of more than $19,000.
Almashhadani appeared in court Thursday visibly upset, claiming he played just a small role in the scam;
“This is not my operation!” he yelled from behind the glass, where he later protested the $25,000 bail. “My parents have no money!”
[ Arrests made after Norwood grandma scammed out of thousands, police say ]