Norwood Police detectives arrested two New York City men Tuesday night in connection with a phone scam that victimized an 85-year old Norwood woman. According to the victim, she received a call a few days ago from a man purporting to be a lawyer representing her grandson who, the caller told her, was in police custody. The “attorney” told the woman he would need $9,000 to get her grandson out of jail. The woman withdrew the money and, as the caller directed, prepared a package to be picked up by a courier. The following day, she received a second call and a courier picked up an additional $10,000. The Norwood Police Department was notified following the second payment and began an investigation.
When a detective contacted the victim, she told him she had just received another call and had been directed to prepare a third package of money for pick-up. Detectives put together a package similar to the previous two and set up surveillance near the woman’s home. As they watched, they saw a vehicle with New York plates pull onto the street but park several houses away. The passenger got out of the car, approached the woman’s home, and then returned to the vehicle with the package. When it pulled away detectives followed. The car pulled to the side of the road a short distance away and, when it looked like the men were examining the package, detectives approached them and questioned them. They returned to the police station for further follow-up and were later placed under arrest.
The defendants are Mark Gabra, 20, of 108 Mulberry Circle, Staten Island, NY and Ali Almashhadani, 21, of 266 Westervelt Avenue, also on Staten Island. The men are charged with conspiracy to receive stolen property and attempt to commit larceny by a false pretense. They are scheduled to be arraigned today at the Dedham District Court. The initial report was taken by Officer Marchant and subsequent investigation was led by Lt. Christopher Flanagan of the Norwood PD. If you would like to support the show you can make a donation as low as $1.00 to
