Alleged Scammers Drain $1,780,000 in Cash, Jewelry and Precious Metals From Florida Woman After Posing as Bank of America and Chase Bank Employees
A Florida woman was allegedly stripped of more than $1.5 million in jewelry and precious metals and $280,000 in cash after scammers posing as bank employees convinced her that her accounts had been compromised.
Treasure Island police arrested Alnesha Bianca Handy, 35, and James Arthur Graves Graham Jr., 24, in connection with the alleged scheme targeting the older woman, reports the National Jeweler.
The scam began February 10th when the victim received calls from people claiming to represent Bank of America and Chase Bank, according to Treasure Island Police Chief John Barkley.
The callers allegedly kept the woman on the phone for roughly four and a half hours while convincing her that criminals had gained access to her bank accounts and credit cards.
The alleged scammers initially instructed her to send wire transfers to an account they controlled. A legitimate bank employee eventually stopped a second large transfer after detecting the suspicious activity.
Rather than ending the scheme, the fraudsters allegedly convinced the woman that the actual bank employees were part of the scam. They warned her that armed individuals could come to her home and steal her valuables.
The suspects then allegedly told the woman that her jewelry and precious metals needed to be moved somewhere safe and offered to help protect them.
One of the suspects allegedly went to the victim’s home, entered through an unlocked garage and removed valuables from an open safe.
Police say the stolen property included approximately $1.5 million worth of jewelry and precious metals.
“These scammers are professionals at creating fear and urgency. That’s one of your warning signs,” Barkley said.
Investigators later connected Graham to the alleged crime. Authorities said he reported his vehicle stolen the following day, but the vehicle was eventually located in the Fort Lauderdale area.
Treasure Island detectives worked with Tampa police and obtained a search warrant for Graham’s apartment. Investigators allegedly found clothing inside that matched what Graham was wearing during the alleged theft.
Says Barkley,
“I’ve been in law enforcement for over 37 years and the amount of times we’ve gotten money back from scammers is almost nil. Once the money is transferred in these scams, it’s often moved very, very quickly through other bank accounts and other means, so it disappears.”
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