Residents must be made
aware of scam artists

It is no secret that criminals target those people who are least able to defend themselves. Scams that target senior citizens come to mind, but perhaps less well known are the crimes that target another group of people in western Monmouth County — immigrants who speak little or no English.

Most recently, a Bond Street, Freehold Borough, resident was robbed of $1,500 cash and an additional $300 worth of jewelry and electronic equipment in a version of a scam that has been reported in the past and has apparently returned to the area.

Police said the 20-year-old Hispanic male was told by two white males who spoke fluent Spanish that they had a winning lottery ticket but that they needed help to be able to cash it.

The victim gave the perpetrators $1,500 with the promise of getting his money back plus an additional $2,000. Needless to say, the perpetrators pulled a fast one and took off with the $1,500 the young man had given them.

Freehold Borough police said this type of flim-flam scheme has happened in the borough in the past, typically in the spring and summer.

It will take a concerted effort on the part of police and representatives of the borough’s His-panic community to get the word out in a way that potential victims can understand.

If it means placing fliers in businesses that serve the Hispanic community, then that is one thing that should be done.

If potential victims can be reached through their churches or social clubs, that is another avenue that should be pursued.

There will always be criminals, but with a little bit of an effort there need not always be willing victims.