A Florida man was arrested following a North Branford police investigation into a financial scam that targeted a 75-year-old town resident, according to law enforcement Thursday.
Justin Dwyer Sr., 32, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is facing charges including second-degree larceny, first-degree identity theft, fourth-degree money laundering and illegal use of a debit card.
Investigators learned that the North Branford resident lost a “substantial amount of money” in the scam, which police say involved individuals posing as trusted representatives.
Following an investigation, police secured an arrest warrant for Dwyer, who was taken into custody in Florida on Wednesday and held as a fugitive from justice. Police then extradited him to Connecticut, where he was arraigned Thursday.
Following the arrest, police advised residents to remain vigilant against similar scams targeting older residents, often involving impersonations of “financial institutions, government agencies, technical support representatives or other trusted entities” to obtain their financial information.
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To stay safe, police said residents should independently verify any unsolicited requests for money or financial information and contact law enforcement if they suspect a scam.
North Branford Police Chief James Lovelace described financial crimes against senior citizens as “among the most reprehensible offenses we investigate.”
“These criminals intentionally prey upon vulnerable individuals, often causing devastating financial losses and emotional hardship,” Lovelace said. “Let this arrest serve as a clear message: regardless of where offenders attempt to hide, the North Branford Police Department will work tirelessly with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to identify them, locate them, and bring them back to Connecticut to face justice.”
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Sean Humphrey is a story desk editor at FOX61 News. He can be reached at shumphrey@fox61.com.
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