A telephone scammer has been tracked down after ripping off a resident of The Villages.
The resident of the Village of De Luna began receiving phone calls last year from someone who was impersonating law enforcement officers, according to an arrest report from the Wildwood Police Department. The caller “attempted to instill fear in the victim by falsely threatening legal action in order to obtain money.”
In November, the Villager sent a $1,500 wire transfer to the scammer, followed by a $1,000 Zelle transfer. The scammer withdrew the money within 24 hours.
A Wildwood detective went to work on the case and subpoenaed bank records. The bank records led to 26-year-old Moseiah Lamarr Williams of Jonesboro, Ga. A warrant was issued for his arrest.
He was taken into custody earlier this month on charges including fraud. He was booked at the Sumter County Detention Center and released after posting $6,000 bond.
The Federal Trade Commission warns against falling for such a scam.
Even if the caller uses the name of a real officer, has a real number show up on caller ID, or has information about you (like your address), that’s not a real officer calling. It’s a scammer trying to steal your money.
Here’s what to know:
- Real law enforcement officers won’t call to say you’re going to be arrested (or threaten to arrest you if you hang up).
- Real law enforcement officers won’t call to insist that you pay fines by cash, gift card, cryptocurrency, payment app, or a wire transfer service — and never as a way to buy your way out of a “crime.”
If you get a call like this, hang up. Don’t call the number back. If you want to check it out, contact your local police department, but use a website or phone number you know is real. Then report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.