Mineola man charged with attempted grand larceny following what police call an “elder scam”

Brandon Duffy
Joshua Estrella Gomez, of Mineola. (Photo courtesy of Nassau County Police Department)

A Mineola man was arrested for attempted grand larceny as part of what police are calling an “elder scam.”

Joshua Estrella Gomez, 28, of Willis Avenue, was arrested Thursday after he allegedly picked up an envelope from a Seaford woman following calls that resembled an “elder scam.” 

The victim, 73, received three calls from unknown men, each claiming to be different people in order to bail her “grandson” out of jail, according to officials.

The first call was from a man who claimed he was the victim’s grandson, was in jail and needed the woman to contact his lawyer.

A second call came from a man stating he was her grandson’s lawyer and that he needed $8,000 from her to post bail.

Police say a third call was made to the victim from an unknown male alleging to be the bail bondsman and that he was in the area to collect the money.

Between the final call and Gomez arriving at the victim’s house, she contacted the police after suspecting the prior events were a scam. 

Gomez was arrested without incident immediately after taking an envelope from the victim, police said.

Gomez was released on an appearance ticket and scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, Feb. 3. 

Efforts to reach lawyers for Gomez for immediate comment were unavailing.

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