HOPKINTON — Chief Joseph Bennett announced that detectives from the Hopkinton Police Department have arrested and charged a New York man for allegedly scamming an elderly local resident out of $10,000 through a nationwide computer technical support scam.
Minhaj Ismam, 21, of Jamaica, N.Y., faced arraignment Thursday afternoon in Framingham District Court on several charges, including larceny from a person 65 or older, larceny over $1,200 by a single scheme, attempted larceny from a person over 60 or disabled, and conspiracy.
The investigation began when a Hopkinton resident contacted police on Wednesday, Dec. 20, at 10:43 a.m., reporting a potential scam.
On Dec. 19, the resident was approached by a caller claiming to represent an anti-virus software company, who manipulated the resident’s computer to obtain banking information and convinced the resident to provide $10,000 to a courier.
After the resident fulfilled the payment, another request for money was made the following day.
Hopkinton police then organized a sting operation, which led to contact with Ismam, identified as the courier.
An Uber driver, who unknowingly transported Ismam from New York to Massachusetts, was questioned but found to be uninvolved.
Following his arrest, Ismam was booked at the Hopkinton Police station.
At his arraignment, he was held on $1,000 cash bail with a no-contact order with the victim.
