Crime & Safety

Man Harassed in Loan Repayment Scam, Police Say

Also, a Newtown Square man was arrested in connection with DUI in Westtown Township, police say.

The following information was supplied by Newtown Township Police. Any arrests or charges mentioned do not indicate guilt or conviction.

 

Harassment by Communication—3500 block of Rhoads Avenue in Newtown Square at about 6:35 p.m. on April 15. A man told police that he had received a call from a number indicating the call came from Russia and it was in reference to the re-payment of a loan, according to the report. The man told police he was currently in financial hardship and did research “Payday Load” but never actually applied for a loan and did not divulge any personal information via the computer, according to the report. The man said he had recorded the phone conversation and police listened to the recording.

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The man on the phone had a heavy Middle Eastern accent and demanded the victim repay the loan, according to the report. The unknown person stated that a warrant would be issued for the victim's arrest, if he did not provide personal information concerning the repayment of the loan and also said that he attempted to contact the victim via email however the victim told police that he never provided his email at any time, according to the report.

The victim stated that he immediately notified his bank and put an alert on his bank account, according to the report.

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Police explained to the victim that the phone call appeared to be a fishing expedition or scam and advised him not to answer the phone if that number were to call again, according to the report. Police also advised that a money loan is a civil matter in nature and a loan company does not have the authority to issue an arrest warrant, according to the report.

 

DUI—1500 block of West Chester Pike in Westtown Township at about 2:21 a.m. on April 15. Westtown-East Goshen Police stopped a white Chevy pick-up for traveling with a broken headlight. According to the department, police detected an odor of alcoholic beverage on the driver’s breath. The defendant, a 22-year-old Newtown Square man, took and failed a series of field sobriety tests and was arrested and charged with DUI. 

 


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