A Virginia resident was instructed to leave $10,000 in a mailbox for a supposed FBI investigation. Instead, the resident alerted authorities, and two Florida men were arrested near the home after an attempted overnight collection.
Rakeem Hughey-Collier, 20, and Pursell Shelton Bauer, 24, were arrested November 10, according to WDBJ7’s report of the Giles County Sheriff’s Office announcement.
The alleged scheme escalated when callers could not find the money and threatened that FBI agents would enter the residence.
Caller Claimed a Bank Employee Was Under FBI Investigation
The sheriff’s office received the initial complaint during the afternoon of November 9. Chief Deputy Scott Moye told WVVA that a caller claiming to represent Woodforest Bank had asked the resident to assist with an FBI investigation involving a bank employee.
The caller instructed the resident to withdraw $10,000, put the cash in an envelope and leave it in the mailbox outside the home. A supposed FBI agent would collect it. The resident pretended to cooperate while reporting the suspicious contact to authorities.
Callers Threatened Home Entry When the Mailbox Was Empty
At approximately 1:30 a.m. November 10, the resident contacted the sheriff’s office again after noticing people near the mailbox outside the home, just south of Pearisburg. Around the same time, callers complained that they could not find the envelope and directed the resident to meet them outside.
The callers threatened that FBI agents would enter the house if nobody came out, according to the sheriff’s account reported by WDBJ7. Authorities also described a vehicle parked along the street with its high beams illuminated, waiting for the resident to emerge.
Giles County sheriff’s deputies and Pearisburg police officers responded and found the two men inside a vehicle near the residence. The sheriff’s office credited the resident’s calm cooperation with helping officers make the arrests.
Court Records Set December Hearings on Three Felony Charges
Giles General District Court records list Hughey-Collier’s attempted false-pretenses charge in case GC26004592-00 and his separate conspiracy charge in case GC26004591-00. Bauer’s conspiracy case is numbered GC26004593-00; all three charges are listed as felonies.
All three cases were filed November 11 and list preliminary hearings for December 15 at 1 p.m. Arraignments were scheduled for November 12, at 8:30 a.m. for Bauer and 1 p.m. for Hughey-Collier.
The court summaries captured November 12 list both men in custody. The sheriff’s office had reported November 10 that both were being held without bond. They are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Do Not Leave Cash for a Supposed Federal Agent
The Federal Trade Commission warns that scammers may combine business and government impersonation, first claiming to represent a familiar company and then invoking a federal agency. A demand to withdraw personal savings and give the cash to someone claiming to act for the government is a scam warning.
Hang up and verify the story by contacting the bank or agency through an independently obtained official number. Caller ID, badge numbers and official-looking documents do not establish that the person contacting you is legitimate.
If someone arrives to collect money or threatens to enter your home, contact police rather than going outside to confront them. The FBI’s threat guidance advises calling 911 if you are in immediate physical danger. Preserve messages and call details, and report suspected impersonation scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.