Elderly Florida Scam Victim Gets $30,000 Back ‘Within Hours’ Of Reporting Crime!
An elderly Florida woman who was scammed out of $30,000 received all her money back within hours of reporting the crime, thanks to a swift arrest and investigation. đ #News #PanamaCityFL #Florida #Crime
PANAMA CITY, FL – An elderly Florida woman scammed out of $30,000 got all her money back “within hours” of reporting the crime, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday.
Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford on Wednesday announced the arrest of 29-year-old MDZohair Anjum of Panama City. He was booked into the Bay County Jail on a charge of grand theft in excess of $20,000.
According to the sheriff’s office, the 73-year-old victim reported receiving an email that appeared to be from a legitimate computer security software company, telling her she overpaid for her subscription and was owed money back.
The scammer was then able to “manipulate” the victim’s bank account to make it appear she was given a much larger refund than she was owed.
The scammer then told the victim to withdraw the overpaid amount and bring the cash to his associate at a local store. She complied, meeting with the associate and handing over $30,000 in cash.
After thinking about the chain of events, however, she began to realize she had been scammed, and reported the incident to the sheriff’s office.
Based on the victim’s description of the suspect, BCSO Financial Crimes Investigators and Bay Real Time Crime Center (BAYROC) began collecting video to identify the suspect and his vehicle.
Anjum was identified as the suspect and arrested, and “all the victimâs money recovered within hours of the crime being reported,” the sheriff’s office said.
The sheriff’s office says online scammers are on the rise, and warning members of the public to be alert.
“If you suspect someone is trying to scam you online, cease contact with them and report it to your local law enforcement agency,” the sheriff’s office said. “Do not provide money to them, in person or electronically.”
Written by TMX staff, with additional reporting by Jack and Kitty Norton.
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