BY TONY BOUZA
Around 10 a.m., June 16 (Bloomsday), I received a call. “Grandpa, this is Tony (my 18-year-old grandson, who lives in California and is headed for Carleton).”
“I’m in trouble,” he said, sobbing. I was certain it was genuine. “Can all weepy voiced teenagers sound alike?” I asked.
“I’m in the Dominican Republic with a friend and his family. I was driving and hit another car. No injuries. My friend was drunk.”
“And you?” I asked.
“I was 1 point over the limit and was arrested. I’m at the American Embassy and I need to raise $1150 bail to catch a flight home tomorrow night. Please don’t tell dad, he’ll be terribly upset.”
I calmed and reassured him but insisted I had to inform my son—his father—who, I was sure, would respond wisely.
My grandson put me on with a very helpful Sergeant Williams, of the Embassy, who instructed me to get $1150 in cash, go to a CVS pharmacy and send it through Moneygram to Attorney Miguel Castro in Mao, Dominican Republic. The phone number given was 809-839-3138.
I spoke to my grandson again and he pleaded I not inform his parents. I reassured him I had to and that they would respond lovingly and effectively. I had to do it and that was that.
I called my son—a lawyer in L.A.—and left a message and called my daughter-in-law Cynthia (also a lawyer) as reassuringly as I could.
Cynthia listened politely and said, “Tony is asleep in his bedroom.” Sure enough, she checked and there he was.
Carefully researched. Craftily acted. Skillfully scripted. A scenario worthy of nearby Hollywood. A scam, but a beaut. I’d been totally taken in. I was certain I was talking with my grandson.
Where could these talented fraudsters have gotten the information enabling them to impersonate my grandson, get my number and follow through so convincingly?
We’re not all lottery winners or heirs to fortunes in Kenya.
“You can’t cheat an honest man.”
I was gulled but I, following Reagan’s advice to “trust but verify,” was saved by pursuing this simple suggestion.
I’m not sure about the next step, but I’m never content to let such things float by without some follow-up.
