An elderly Hardin County woman lost $100,000 in cash before her grandsons stepped in during what police describe as an organized scam.
Vickie Nelson was allegedly told there was fraudulent activity involving some of her bank accounts. Investigators said that warning led her to hand over cash in separate transactions over several days.
The case came to a head at a Family Dollar in Kountze, where Nelson’s grandsons confronted two people police say were connected to the scheme. MD Imran Hossain and his wife, Zakia Hossain, both 29, are charged with engaging in organized criminal activity and financial abuse of an elderly person.
The charges are allegations. Neither has been convicted in the case.
The Scam Allegedly Started With a Bank Fraud Warning
KFDM reported that court documents describe a scheme in which Nelson was told there was “fraudulent activity” involving some of her bank accounts.
Police say that claim was used to push her into moving cash outside normal banking channels. Investigators said Nelson handed over $100,000 in separate transactions between Thursday and Saturday.
The report did not identify the caller by name, but police said the case involved more than the two people detained in Kountze.
Nelson allegedly gave up cash over multiple transactions before the final attempted meeting drew her family’s attention. The victim was allegedly kept in contact with someone by phone while others handled the in-person side of the scheme.
The Grandsons Intervened at Family Dollar
Nelson’s three grandsons stopped the couple there after the earlier cash losses, according to the report.
KFDM later reported that Nelson was instructed to withdraw as much cash as possible from Capital One Bank and 5Point Credit Union before the final planned pickup. According to the affidavit cited by the station, Nelson withdrew about $20,000 after the banks refused to release the full requested amounts.
Instead of filling the package entirely with cash, investigators said she filled most of it with catalog paper, covered the top with some cash, photographed it, and sent the image to a person identified in the affidavit as “Calvin.”
One of Nelson’s grandsons, Cutler Jackson, hid under a blanket in the back seat of her vehicle while his brothers watched nearby. Investigators said Zakia Hossain first appeared near the store before walking away. Moments later, MD Imran Hossain approached Nelson’s vehicle.
When Nelson asked him for the password, Cutler Jackson emerged from the back seat, and police said Hossain fled through the parking lot.
The Grandsons Also Face Charges
The grandsons were later charged with assaulting MD Imran Hossain after the confrontation at the Family Dollar.
Court officials told KFDM that David, Hunter, and Cutler Jackson each had bond set at $2,000 on a misdemeanor assault charge. The report also said Hossain was taken to a hospital after suffering injuries investigators say occurred during the confrontation.
A law firm representing the Jackson brothers said they were acting to protect their grandmother after learning she had already lost a large amount of money and believed the scammers were returning for more.
Police Say More Than Two People Were Involved
Kountze Police Chief Dale Williford said investigators believe at least three people played roles in the alleged scam.
He described one woman as acting as a lookout with a 1-year-old child, another man as being involved in the confrontation, and another person as being on the phone.
Police said the couple’s 1-year-old daughter is now in CPS custody. Williford said the child had been brought to the last alleged scam location, which became part of the police account of how the final meeting unfolded.
The Couple Faces Elder Fraud and Organized Crime Charges
MD Imran Hossain and Zakia Hossain are charged with engaging in organized criminal activity and financial abuse of an elderly person.
Jail records cited by KFDM list the organized-crime charge as a first-degree felony and the financial-abuse charge as a second-degree felony involving between $30,000 and $150,000.
The station reported that bail was listed at $100,000 for the organized-crime charge and $250,000 for the financial-abuse charge. Police also said both are being held on ICE detainers while the criminal investigation continues.
Williford said the detainers are intended to keep the suspects in jail while investigators continue working the case. The public reports did not list court dates, defense responses, or whether any of Nelson’s money has been recovered.
Investigators Believe the Case May Reach Beyond Southeast Texas
Williford said investigators believe the alleged scam may be part of a larger network operating outside Southeast Texas.
He said police have information pointing to at least one participant in California. The investigation now involves the Southeast Texas Violent Crime Task Force, the FBI, and ICE.
Real Banks and Agencies Do Not Send Couriers for Cash
A real bank, police department, or government agency will not tell a customer to withdraw cash, hide the reason from bank employees, package money for pickup, send photos of cash, use a password with a courier, or hand money to a stranger in a parking lot. The FTC warns that if someone says money must be transferred, withdrawn, or handed over to “protect it,” the request is a scam.
Families can help older relatives by making a simple plan before a crisis call happens: no cash withdrawals for callers, no secrecy, no couriers, and no movement of money until a trusted family member and the bank are contacted directly through verified numbers.
Suspected elder financial exploitation should be reported to local law enforcement, the victim’s bank, and the state adult protective services agency. Imposter scams can also be reported to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov.