3 charged in bail scam that targeted North Huntingdon couple, Pittsburgh woman

Three men from New York City are accused of tricking a Pittsburgh woman out of $20,000 and trying to get $18,000 from a North Huntingdon couple through a bail scam, according to court papers.

Township police this week charged Alfonso J. Camareno, 36, of Flushing; Jason Alvarez, 31, of Queens; and Jean Carlos Mendoza, 24, of Brooklyn, with corrupt organizations, conspiracy, theft and criminal use of a communication facility. Alvarez and Mendoza were arraigned Wednesday and jailed on $100,000 bail each.

An arrest warrant was issued for Camareno.

Township police started investigating May 29 after receiving a report that a man purporting to be a bail bondsman called the North Huntingdon couple and claimed their grandson was being held at the fictitious “seventh precinct” in Greensburg on drug charges. The caller requested $18,000 to post bail.

After the couple learned the call was fake, police were called to their property for a trespasser. Officers took Mendoza and Alvarez into custody and charged them with attempted theft and trespass. Those cases are pending.

Township police continued to investigate and learned that the suspects may have been involved in similar incidents in Illinois and Rhode Island. On a cellphone belonging to Alvarez, authorities reported finding messages between him and Camareno containing names and addresses, including that of the Pittsburgh woman, along with the amount of money they were to pick up, according to court papers.

The Pittsburgh woman reported to police she also was contacted May 29 by a person who said a family friend had been arrested and needed $20,000 to get out of jail. She withdrew the cash and a person posing as a bail bondsman picked it up from her.

Alvarez and Mendoza were being held at the Westmoreland County Prison. Preliminary hearings are set for Oct. 11.

The Federal Trade Commission warns people to be vigilant against this type of family emergency scam, which can come in various forms and prey on the elderly. It can be referred to as a grandparent or bail scam. The commission warns to not give personal information or hand over cash, gift cards or wire money. Instead, hang up and check with family members to see whether the story is accurate.