Bank employees, Fall River Police combine to arrest alleged scammer swindling thousands from elderly

Some great teamwork has captured an alleged Fall River scammer.

According to police, earlier this month, officers from the Patrol Bureau responded to BankFive for a reported ongoing scam involving an elderly victim. Upon arrival, officers observed the victim actively speaking on the phone with a male who claimed to be a bank employee from a “Fraud Department.” The caller instructed the victim to withdraw $25,000 and provide it to an Uber driver so it could be “secured” as part of a fraud investigation.

Recognizing the situation as a scam, the BankFive branch manager promptly contacted police. Patrol Bureau officers took quick action to keep the scammer unaware of police involvement. Detectives from the Major Crimes Division, along with members of the Community Action & Suppression Team, quickly coordinated a plan to identify and apprehend those responsible.

The suspect requested a photograph of the cash inside a CVS shopping bag to confirm the victim had complied with the request. With the assistance of bank staff, officers staged the image and then safely returned the funds to the bank. To maintain the deception, a travel magazine that the detective purchased was placed in the bag to simulate currency for the delivery.

Shortly thereafter, an Uber driver arrived to retrieve the package. After confirming the driver was unaware of the criminal activity, they agreed to assist officers. The delivery location was set for Dorchester by the suspect, and while undercover detectives followed the vehicle, the Boston Police Department and FBI were notified.

Upon arrival at the destination, the package was handed off, and officers immediately apprehended the suspect. He was identified as 28-year-old Joshua Jose Nieves of Roxbury.

Nieves was arrested and charged with Larceny over $1,200 by false pretenses and Conspiracy.

Investigators later learned the victim had previously withdrawn $25,000 at another bank branch in Somerset and provided it to a similar courier. That portion of the case remains under investigation by the Somerset Police Department in coordination with FRPD detectives.

This remains an active investigation and may result in additional arrests.

Police stated that scams like this continue to target vulnerable individuals, particularly the elderly. As a reminder, banks, law enforcement, the IRS, and other legitimate organizations will never request money to be transferred via rideshare services or demand payment in gift cards. If you receive a suspicious request, hang up immediately and contact your local police department or the organization directly using a verified phone number.