Fake attorney scams grandfather out of thousands of dollars

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A 36-year-old man was arrested earlier this month after he scammed a grandfather out of more than $8,000, authorities announced Thursday.

According to Miami-Dade police, the 75-year-old victim received a call from someone claiming to be an attorney named “Walter Higgins.”

Police said the man was told that his grandson had been involved in a traffic accident and had struck a Bahamian diplomat who was in town working a special case involving narcotics.

“Higgins” told the victim that his grandson was driving 17 mph over the speed limit at the time and wasn’t wearing a seatbelt, but if he paid $8,280, his grandson would not be criminally charged, authorities said.

According to the suspect’s arrest report, the victim initially tried to call his grandson, but he didn’t answer.

Police said he asked the fake attorney several times to speak with his grandson, but the fraudster gave him various excuses why he couldn’t speak with him, such as that there was a gag order in place for 48 hours.

According to the arrest report, another person eventually got on the phone, posing as the victim’s grandson.

The victim then had his wife go to the bank and obtain a cashier’s check for the requested amount of money.

Police said the victim was instructed to place $1,000 each in eight envelopes and $280 in a ninth envelope, and provide it to a courier who would be sent to his home.

The suspect, Manuel Alfonso Lopez, of Oakland Park, then arrived at the victim’s home, posing as the courier, and took the money, authorities said.

Police said Lopez arrived at the home in a black RAM and was wearing a black medical mask.

The victim asked him to lower his mask because he did not feel comfortable handing over the large amount of money to someone he couldn’t fully see.

Police said Lopez complied and the victim was able to take a photo of him. Police said his wife also went outside and took a photo of the pickup truck’s tag without Lopez noticing.

The victim was eventually able to contact his grandson and discovered he had been scammed.

According to the arrest report, detectives were able to identify Lopez as the person who picked up the money and arrested him Jan. 10 in Miami Lakes.

He faces charges of organized scheme to defraud and third-degree grand theft.

Anyone with information about any others involved in the scheme is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.