Scammers impersonating bank investigators persuaded primarily older Clay County, Florida, residents to withdraw cash, hide it inside cereal boxes and hand the packages to couriers at grocery stores. Victims lost nearly $70,000 over approximately two weeks, according to an Oct. 27 report by Action News Jax.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office warned on Oct. 26 that at least four residents had lost more than $60,000. By Oct. 29, detectives were investigating five cases involving the scheme, according to News4JAX.
FaceTime Calls Displayed Email Addresses Resembling Banks
Detective Michael Antonini told News4JAX that some scammers contacted victims through FaceTime while posing as bank fraud employees. The displayed email addresses contained financial institution names, making the fraudulent calls appear more credible.
The impostors discouraged victims from ending the conversation. Antonini said they warned that something bad could happen if the customer hung up, keeping the person occupied while the withdrawal and cash handoff were arranged.
Callers Told Victims to Withdraw Thousands and Lie to Bank Tellers
Detective Alyssa Huggins, who works in the sheriff’s financial crime section, described callers posing as bank investigators or federal agents. In an interview with Action News Jax, she said some claimed they needed victims to withdraw between $5,000 and $10,000 so investigators could examine the bills for fingerprints.
The callers promised that the money would be returned after the supposed investigation. Others claimed a withdrawal was necessary to move the customer’s savings into an account that criminals could not access.
Scammers also prepared victims for questions from bank employees. Antonini told News4JAX that callers instructed customers to give explanations such as home improvements or other expensive projects rather than disclose that an unknown person had directed them to withdraw the money.
Victims Were Sent to Buy Three Cereal Boxes and a Roll of Tape
Once the cash was withdrawn, callers directed victims to grocery stores. In the version described to News4JAX, the customer was instructed to buy three boxes of cereal and a roll of tape, open one box, place the money inside and seal the package.
Antonini said a person coordinating the scam would arrange for another individual to arrive at the same store. The victim would take the concealed cash into the parking lot, hand the package to the courier and watch that person drive away. Huggins told Action News Jax that some victims contacted police only after handing over their money.
Detectives Are Tracing Accounts Used to Contact Victims
Clay County investigators are reviewing digital information associated with the reported calls, including the email addresses used to contact victims. According to News4JAX, detectives were pursuing subpoenas with service providers to identify people connected to those accounts.
What to Do if a Caller Claims Your Bank Account Is in Danger
The Federal Trade Commission advises people receiving unexpected fraud warnings to end the call and contact their financial institution independently, using its official app, website or the number on the back of their bank card. The agency also warns that a legitimate fraud department will not require customers to keep the call secret.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission identifies instructions to withdraw cash and deliver it through couriers as a warning sign of fraud. Customers should tell bank employees the actual reason for an unusual withdrawal rather than follow a stranger’s directions to conceal it.
Anyone who has already handed over cash should contact their bank and local law enforcement immediately. Clay County residents can reach the sheriff’s office at 904-264-6512. Call records, displayed email addresses, messages and receipts may be useful to investigators, and suspected fraud can also be reported through the FTC’s ReportFraud.ftc.gov.