Bogus lawyer nearly cons 87-year-old woman out of $12,000

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – An Oklahoma grandmother was nearly conned out of $12,000 by somebody posing as a lawyer allegedly attempting to get her grandson out of jail for a hit-and-run.

Her granddaughter, Kayleigh Wilson stated her 87-year-old grandma bought a name Thursday morning from a so-called lawyer, Michael Kelsey claiming her grandson was behind bars, however he can be launched if she paid his bail in full and in money by February 9.

Wilson stated whoever was on the opposite finish of the decision gave her grandmother a case quantity and even stated her brother’s full title, so it was arduous to not imagine.

The lawyer additionally allegedly advised her grandmother she couldn’t inform anybody in regards to the scenario as a result of the case was below a “gag order.”

“She had her caretaker take her to the bank and to respect her privacy, they don’t go into the bank with her. The caretaker didn’t realize that kind of money that she took out until they got back home,” defined Wilson.

News 4 spoke with the caretaker in an on-camera interview, however she’s frightened the suspect will acknowledge her she requested to remain nameless for worry of bodily security.

She advised KFOR when she noticed the massive stack of money withdrawn, she began to ask questions.

“I tried to ask her: ‘Did you talk to your grandson personally? ‘And she could not tell me, so that from the beginning kind of gave me a red flag like ‘hey, something’s not right,’” she stated.

The grandmother referred to as the lawyer again to plan a meet up at her dwelling.

Shortly after, a person confirmed as much as her entrance door, prepared to gather the cash.

Surveillance video exhibits the grandmother was on the cellphone with the “lawyer” when the affiliate confirmed up.

She gave the cellphone to the affiliate by which it seems he’s requested if he had the cash.

His response: “No, not yet.”

In the background, the caretaker whipped out her cellphone and pressed document as she felt uneasy in regards to the interplay.

“At first, I tried to stay out of his view, so he didn’t know I was there to try and see what exactly he was going to do. As soon as she started inviting him into the house, I stepped into his view to make sure that he saw somebody else was there,” stated the caretaker.

The man then locked eyes with the digital camera, gave the cellphone again to the grandma and left empty-handed.

“She was holding the $12,000 directly in front of him, so he definitely saw it and that’s why I called 911 immediately after he ran to his car, because I was afraid he was going to come back with his buddies, thinking, ‘Okay, I saw the money. It’s two little women. We can just take it,’” added the caretaker.

Luckily, Wilson stated the person hasn’t proven again up.

The caretaker advised KFOR the grandmother has been conned out of cash as soon as earlier than.

She believes the identical man who posed because the lawyer is who conned her the primary time.

“Her husband died and she gave out her social security number through a scam, thinking it was law enforcement or something and he used the same name, Michael. He sounded the exact same as the guy from last time,” the caretaker recalled.

Wilson stated she’s infuriated somebody would do that to an aged individual, particularly her grandmother.

“They don’t have the opportunity to make more money. Like they have no problem leaving elderly people homeless with nothing and most people in her position would give everything they have for their families, for their grandchildren. They [criminals] know that and they take advantage of that. It’s infuriating and it just makes me sad that she’s a smart lady, but she heard that her grandson was in trouble and she was going to do anything she could to protect him,” acknowledged Wilson.

Wilson stated her grandmother is doing okay, however she feels a bit embarrassed.

“She’s safe and appropriate measures have been taken with the bank to safeguard her account. We monitor her home very closely,” added Wilson.

Oklahoma City Police are investigating.

Wilson urges anybody who could know one thing to say one thing.

“I’m really hoping that someone sees it and does the right thing. He’s going to continue to do this and it could very well be your grandparents the next time you know, your vulnerable, you know, person that you love more than anything in the world. It’s just not right,” stated Wilson.

If you have got any information about this case, name Crimestoppers at 405-235-7300 or submit a tip online.