Palmdale Detectives are seeking the public’s help in identifying a suspect they believe is preying on elderly individuals in the Antelope Valley area.

In mid-November Palmdale Sheriff’s Station was contacted by a 70 year old victim who told deputies that a suspect, described as a 50-year-old Hispanic female with brown hair and brown eyes, had tricked him into cashing a counterfeit check.

The victim was in the parking lot of a Palmdale shopping complex when the suspect flagged down the victim asking him if he remembered her from a couple of years ago. The suspect insisted they had worked together in the past. Feeling embarrassed the victim didn’t recognize the suspect; the victim continued with the conversation, which resulted in the suspect obtaining the victim’s information.

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A few days later, the suspect contacted the victim stating she was recently robbed and all of her identification had been stolen and was unable to give money to her family in El Salvador. The suspect then convinced the victim to cash a payroll check for her because she had no form of identification.

The suspect accompanied the victim to the bank where he deposited an $800 check and withdrew the maximum allowed on the deposit. The suspect told the victim she would call him in a couple of days to retrieve the remainder of the cash. The victim was later contacted by his bank and was informed that his check was a counterfeit and would be responsible for the amount of money he had withdrawn.

Detectives believe that while they only have one confirmed victim, the suspect might be using this scam throughout the Antelope Valley on unsuspecting elderly victims. Palmdale Sheriff’s Station Detectives are seeking for the public’s assistance on any information on the suspect or if they have been a victim of a similar crime.

For further information contact:
Palmdale Sheriff’s Station
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Detective Rios at 661-272-2466