Norwood PD: 2 NY Men Scammed Norwood Woman Out Of $19K

NORWOOD, MA — A Norwood woman thought she was sending money to help get her grandson out of jail — turns out, she sent almost $20,000 to two men in Staten Island, NY. Norwood police arrested the men on Tuesday in connection with a phone scam that victimized the 85-year-old Norwood woman.

Mark Gabra, 20, and Ali Almashhadani, 21, were charged with conspiracy to receive stolen property and attempt to commit larceny by a false pretense.

The woman told police she received a call a few days ago from a man claiming to be a lawyer representing her grandson who, the caller told her, was in police custody. The man told the woman he needed $9,000 to get her grandson out of jail. After the woman withdrew the money and it was picked up by a courier, police said she received a second call and a courier picked up an additional $10,000.

By the time Norwood police were involved, the woman was being asked for a third payment, to be picked up by courier again.

Detectives put together a package similar to the previous two and set up surveillance near the woman's home. According to police, they saw a vehicle with New York plates pull onto the street but park several houses away. When the man in the car grabbed the package and drove off, detectives followed him.

The car pulled to the side of the road a short distance away and, when it looked like the men were examining the package, detectives approached them and questioned them. Police took the men to the police station and placed them under arrest.

The men are scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday at the Dedham District Court.