Florida Deputies ‘Scam The Scammers’ Who Posed As Agents To Swindle Elderly Victim

Florida authorities investigating a scam against an elderly resident went undercover to scam the scammers, resulting in two arrests this week.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said that on March 31, its Economic Crimes Unit began investigating a scam against an elderly resident. The victim was contacted by someone posing as law enforcement, and told their financial accounts were compromised.

The scammer instructed the victim to withdraw cash and meet with someone posing as an agent. The victim ultimately handed $10,000 over to the fake agent.

On Wednesday, detectives from the Economic Crimes Unit and the Tactical Narcotics Team launched an operation to catch the scammers. When the victim was contacted a second time and instructed to withdraw additional funds and deposit them into another account, law enforcement helped the victim convince the scammer to drive 90 minutes away to meet for an in-person transaction.

At the meeting location, detectives intervened and arrested the suspect, 24-year-old David Lopez. The getaway driver, Tremaine Major, attempted to flee but was also arrested. Deputies found MDMA pills, marijuana, and other drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle.

Both suspects, who are from Broward County, were arrested on charges of fraud – false personation of officials, fraud – swindle, and possession with intent to sell a controlled substance.

“We turned the tables on the scammers and caught them in the act,” said Sheriff Carmine Marceno. “These criminals thought they could come to Lee County and prey on our residents — I hope they enjoy their stay at the Lee County jail.”

The sheriff’s office is reminding residents that its personnel “will NEVER contact you to request funds for any reason.” The sheriff’s office is asking anyone who witnesses such a scam, or is a potential victim, to call the its fraud line at 239-258-3292.