The Howell Twp. Police Department is warning residents about a recent surge in scams targeting the community, after a resident was scammed out of $40,000 cash.

In one recent case, a resident received an email claiming her PayPal account was compromised. The email instructed her to call a provided number where a scammer posing as a PayPal representative told her to package cash in excess of $20,000.00 on two separate occasions within days of each other. A different individual on each day collected these packages from her home. After realizing she’d been scammed she contacted Howell Police.

Soon after reporting this theft to police, the scammer contacted her again, demanding more cash for a third pickup. She immediately contacted Detective Richard Robertiello to notify him of this latest attempt to get more money from her. Members of the Howell Police Detective Bureau devised a plan where they prepared a decoy package, supposedly containing cash in excess of $20,000.00 and waited for the person to pick up the package.

Two suspects from New York were observed picking up the decoy package from the victim’s residence. Detectives subsequently stopped their vehicle, arrested them and they’re now lodged in the Monmouth County Jail facing conspiracy and theft charges.

“The scammers in these cases prey on trust and often claim urgent payment resolves fake issues like a compromised PayPal account,” police said. “Don’t fall for it. Never send cash or share personal info with unsolicited contacts. If you’re suspicious, call us immediately.”

“The Howell Police are committed to keeping you safe. We’ve been hosting fraud prevention seminars at local senior living facilities to educate residents. If you are unsure if you’re being scammed, err on the side of caution and DO NOT SEND ANY MONEY IN ANY FORM TO INCLUDE GIFT CARDS!”