Paterson Man Charged In Hillsdale 'Grandparent Scam'

HILLSDALE, NJ — An elderly Hillsdale resident was the victim of what police are calling a "grandparent scam," which cost them $9,000.

Elvis Guzman-Silia, of Paterson, is charged with conspiracy to commit theft by deception and trafficking in personal identifying information of another after a two-month investigation conducted by the Hillsdale Police Department.

Hillsdale police said Guzman-Silia contacted an elderly resident and convinced them that their grandnephew had been involved in a car accident and placed under arrest. The victim was instructed to give a $9,000 cash bail to a woman who would come by the house to collect it.

The woman agreed, and a person posing as a bail bonds worker eventually showed up to her home, collecting the money.

Police arrested Guzman-Silia this week, the department announced.

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