A Haverford Township resident lost $18,000 to a caller posing as the "Sheriff's Office" on Wednesday, Aug. 12, one of several financial crimes reported to police during the week of Aug. 12–18.
The victim, who lives on the 700 block of Chester Avenue, received the call at 6:42 p.m. The caller told him his wife had a federal arrest warrant for failure to appear and contempt of court, then instructed him to withdraw $18,000 and deposit it into a bitcoin kiosk, according to the Haverford Township Police blotter. The victim realized it was a scam only after the money was deposited. The money is likely gone for good.
The scheme mirrors a pattern seen across the region. According to Haverford Township Police records, a resident on the unit block of Belfield Avenue lost $6,000 to a similar call in May from someone claiming to represent the Delaware County Sheriff's Office, with money also sent through bitcoin. Nationally, the FTC reported a record $15.9 billion in consumer fraud losses in 2025, with imposter scams accounting for more than $3.5 billion.
Payroll hack nets $8,808
Three days later, on Aug. 15, Cipollones on the 600 block of Darby Road reported that someone accessed the business's payroll accounts and sent a check for $8,808.88 to himself. Police were notified at 12:24 p.m. No arrest has been announced.
Copper stolen from Bryn Mawr Village
On Aug. 13 at 1:10 p.m., Bryn Mawr Village on the 700 block of Haverford Road reported copper piping and valves stolen from its boiler room.
Other incidents, Aug. 12–18
The blotter also logged:
- Burglary, Aug. 12: A home on the unit block of Nancy Drive was broken into through a rear door. About $50 was taken from a wallet.
- Identity theft, Aug. 12: A resident of the 1000 block of Weller Avenue reported someone opened a Verizon account in his name.
- Identity theft, Aug. 17: A victim on the 300 block of Glen Gary Drive reported someone used his identity to open a T-Mobile account, running up a bill of more than $5,000 sent to collections.
- Credit card fraud, Aug. 17: A resident of the 500 block of Devon Road reported three fraudulent charges on his card.
- E-bicycle theft, Aug. 15: An e-bicycle was stolen from Lowe's on West Township Line Road at 8:27 p.m.
- Criminal mischief, Aug. 16: A vehicle on the 700 block of Hathaway Lane was keyed.
- Arrest, Aug. 12: A 33-year-old Prospect Park woman was charged with causing damage to an attended vehicle, driving on a suspended license, careless driving and failure to notify police after an incident at Kohl's on West Chester Pike.
The Delco Times also covered the blotter on Aug. 24.
Residents who suspect fraud can contact Haverford Township Police or file a report with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
