A 74-year-old Florida woman withdrew $8,000 and placed it in a box after someone claiming to work for her bank told her that her account had been compromised.
The money left her hands, but the scam did not end the way the people behind it expected.
The woman quickly became suspicious, called 911 and provided information that allowed deputies to follow the package. Investigators recovered the entire $8,000 and arrested 25-year-old Amoye Jameison.
Jameison is charged with organized scheme to defraud and grand theft and was being held without bond at the Volusia County Branch Jail when authorities announced the arrest, according to the Jamaica Observer.
The Caller Said Her Wells Fargo Account Was Compromised
View this post on Instagram
The scam unfolded on the evening of Aug. 19 in Ormond Beach, according to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office. Deputies say someone called the woman while pretending to represent Wells Fargo and told her that her account had been compromised.
She was instructed to withdraw $8,000, put it in a box and give the package to a delivery driver. The woman complied and handed the package to an Uber driver. The Sheriff’s Office account does not accuse the driver of knowingly participating in the fraud.
She Called 911 and Gave Deputies the Courier’s Tag Number
Shortly after the pickup, the woman realized she had likely been scammed and contacted law enforcement. She provided the courier’s tag number to Sgt. Leven, who was able to track down the location where the package had been delivered.
Deputies obtained surveillance video from that location. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the footage showed the courier handing the package to Jameison and allowed investigators to identify both her and her vehicle.
Investigators went to Jameison’s residence and later watched her leave in the vehicle identified from the surveillance footage. Deputies conducted a traffic stop and called in the Financial Crimes Unit.
The Sheriff’s Office says Jameison gave investigators a full confession during an interview. Deputies recovered the money, and all $8,000 was returned to the victim.
An Immigration Detainer Was Also Placed
Jameison faces one count of organized scheme to defraud and one count of grand theft. The Sheriff’s Office said it contacted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after determining that Jameison was in the United States on an expired visa.
An immigration detainer was placed. Jameison’s criminal charges remain pending and have not resulted in a finding of guilt.
Wells Fargo Says Its Employees Will Not Tell Customers to Withdraw Cash
A customer who receives an unexpected call about supposed fraud should independently contact the bank before moving any money, even when the caller appears to know details about the account.
Wells Fargo warns that its employees will not unexpectedly instruct customers to withdraw cash, return a debit or credit card or move money to fix an account problem. The bank also warns that scammers can manipulate caller ID to make a call appear legitimate.
End the call and use the number printed on the back of the bank card or another independently verified contact method. Do not use a telephone number supplied by the caller. The Federal Trade Commission similarly identifies instructions to withdraw cash for a driver to collect as a scam warning sign.
If cash has already been handed to a courier, contact law enforcement immediately. Preserve call logs, messages, receipts and any available information about the delivery service, driver, vehicle or destination. The speed of the report can give investigators a better chance of locating the money before it moves again.