On Friday, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced the recovery and return of $8,500 in U.S. currency mailed by an elderly victim of a so-called “grandchild bail” scam, after investigators learned the money had been sent to an address in Shirley, New York.
Our office is committed to aggressively pursuing scammers who target senior citizens, a population criminals wrongly view as vulnerable,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Suffolk County will not be a safe haven for mail-based fraud schemes. I commend the outstanding work of our Financial Crimes Bureau, our law enforcement partners, and the United States Postal Inspection Service for acting swiftly to intercept this money before it reached the scammers.”
According to the investigation, on December 17, 2025, at approximately 3:15 p.m., the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office Financial Crimes Bureau received a call from a detective in Devils Lake, North Dakota, reporting that an elderly woman had fallen victim to a scam. The 80-year-old grandmother reported that on December 12, 2025, she received a phone call from an individual claiming to be her granddaughter.
During the call, the impersonator told the victim that she had been involved in a motor vehicle accident in Suffolk County, New York, had been charged with three crimes, and urgently needed bail money to be released from jail. The caller pleaded with the victim to keep the matter secret and then transferred the call to another individual posing as an attorney, who instructed the victim to mail cash through the United States Postal Service.
After the money was sent, the purported attorney continued to contact the victim over the following days, demanding additional funds and becoming increasingly aggressive when the victim asked for more information. The victim eventually realized she had been scammed and contacted law enforcement. Using the package tracking number, authorities confirmed that the envelope was delivered to a location in Shirley, New York, at approximately 1:00 p.m. on December 17, 2025.
Members of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office Financial Crimes Bureau immediately mobilized to the Shirley location. With assistance from U.S. Postal Inspectors, law enforcement successfully intercepted the package and recovered $8,500 in U.S. currency, which was returned to the victim.
District Attorney Tierney urges residents to remain vigilant against similar scams. Individuals are advised to independently verify any emergency request for money by contacting family members directly, and to be wary of callers who demand secrecy, urgency, or payment in cash or gift cards. No legitimate attorney, law enforcement agency, or court will ever request bail or fees to be mailed in currency.
The investigation was conducted by Detective Investigators Daniel Herzog, Joseph Tobia, and Daniel Ayrovainen of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, with assistance from Detectives Daniel Raia, Anthony Mezzapelle, and Thomas Henry of the Suffolk County Police Department’s District Attorney’s Squad; Deputy Sheriff Investigators Brandon Clark and Richard Baker; U.S. Postal Inspectors Daniella Lella and Joseph Marcus; and Financial Crimes Bureau Chief Lucie Kwon and Deputy Chief Michael McCoy.
Scam Warning: What to Know
Authorities say “grandchild bail” scams are among the most common fraud schemes targeting senior citizens nationwide. Investigators note that scammers often research victims through public records and social media to convincingly impersonate family members. Demands for secrecy and urgency are hallmark tactics used by scammers to prevent victims from verifying the story. Authorities emphasize that legitimate bail payments are never requested in cash through the mail, and no court or attorney will demand payment in this manner. Investigators say mail-based scams are on the rise, as criminals attempt to move cash quickly before victims realize they have been deceived. Authorities recommend hanging up and independently contacting a trusted family member or law enforcement agency before sending money under any circumstances. Law enforcement officials aklso note that many of these scams are operated by organized fraud networks, often based outside the United States.
Key Facts and Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Scam Type | “Grandchild Bail” phone scam |
| Victim | 80-year-old woman |
| Victim Location | Devils Lake, North Dakota |
| Amount Recovered | $8,500 in U.S. currency |
| Method of Payment | Cash mailed via United States Postal Service |
| Scammer Claim | Caller impersonated victim’s granddaughter claiming she needed bail money |
| Additional Impersonation | Second caller posed as an attorney |
| Key Tactics Used | Urgency, secrecy, fear, emotional manipulation |
| Initial Contact Date | December 12, 2025 |
| Law Enforcement Notification | December 17, 2025 |
| Delivery Destination | Shirley, Suffolk County, New York |
| Package Delivery Time | Approximately 1:00 p.m. on December 17, 2025 |
| Intercepted By | Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office Financial Crimes Bureau |
| Assisting Agencies | Suffolk County Police Department; Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office; U.S. Postal Inspection Service |
| Outcome | Package intercepted; funds fully returned to victim |
| Public Warning | Bail is never paid by mailing cash or gift cards |
| Common Red Flags | Requests for secrecy, immediate payment demands, instructions to mail currency |
| Prevention Advice | Verify emergencies by contacting family directly; consult police or a bank before sending money |
| Investigation Status | Ongoing |
