Police: Elderly Perry woman loses $70,000 in government impersonation scam
Police say the scammers threatened the woman with arrest and directed her to withdraw cash, purchase cryptocurrency and deliver money.
PERRY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – An elderly Perry woman reported losing about $70,000 to people posing as federal, court and law enforcement officials, according to a news release from the Perry Police Department.
Police identified 26-year-old James L. Card and 31-year-old Tykeria L. Washington, both of Macon, as being involved.
The release lists theft by extortion, elderly exploitation and impersonation of an officer for Card and elderly exploitation for Washington. Police say Card is in custody and Washington is not.
The investigation began September 21 when Perry police, with assistance from the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, investigated a missing person report involving the woman.
Investigators determined she was being targeted by people who threatened her with arrest and instructed her to stay in continuous telephone contact and keep the matter confidential.
Police say the individuals directed her to withdraw cash, purchase cryptocurrency, use retail-payment barcodes and deliver money to other people.
Officers used the Flock Safety camera system to locate her vehicle while the scam was underway. They found the woman and intervened before the individuals could obtain additional money, according to the release.
Financial records confirmed she withdrew about $63,000 during the scheme. She reported an estimated total loss of $70,000. Police recovered a portion of the stolen money but did not specify the amount.
Investigators are continuing to identify additional participants, phone numbers, financial accounts and payment recipients.
Perry police say legitimate courts and government agencies don’t demand payments through Bitcoin kiosks, retail-payment barcodes, Apple Cash, gift cards or cash couriers. They also will not instruct someone to keep payments secret from family members or local law enforcement.
Anyone receiving those demands should stop contact, avoid sending money or identification documents and contact local law enforcement, police said.
Anyone with information about the investigation is asked to contact Detective Tally at the Perry Police Department at (478) 988-2800.
