An elderly Georgia woman lost $63,000 to criminals impersonating federal agents in an extortion scheme that kept her under constant phone surveillance until police tracked her down and stopped the theft in progress.
Missing-Person Call Reveals Active Theft
Perry police discovered the victim during a missing-person investigation launched on September 21. Working alongside Bibb County deputies, investigators determined the woman had been targeted by scammers pretending to be federal, court, and law enforcement officials. The criminals threatened her with arrest unless she followed their instructions exactly, creating a situation where she believed compliance was mandatory to avoid legal consequences. The victim remained on the phone continuously with the scammers, who demanded she keep everything secret from family and local authorities.
The scheme followed a methodical pattern designed to extract maximum funds while maintaining control over the victim. Scammers instructed her to withdraw cash from her accounts, purchase cryptocurrency, use retail payment barcodes, and physically deliver money to designated individuals. Financial records confirmed she withdrew $63,000 during the operation. Officers used the Flock Safety camera system to track and locate her vehicle, intervening before additional funds could be stolen and recovering some of the money already taken.
Two Macon Residents Face Multiple Charges
Authorities arrested James L. Card, 26, charging him with theft by extortion, elderly exploitation, and impersonation of an officer. Tykeria L. Washington, 31, faces charges of elderly exploitation. Both suspects are Macon residents connected to the scheme through the investigation. Perry Police Department continues working the case and requests anyone with information contact Detective Talley at 478-988-2800. The intervention prevented what could have become an even larger financial loss for the victim.
Warning Signs Every American Should Know
Perry police issued clear guidance to help residents identify similar fraud attempts. Government agencies never tell people to keep payments confidential from family members or local law enforcement. Legitimate courts and government agencies do not demand payment through Bitcoin kiosks, retail-payment barcodes, Apple Cash, gift cards, or cash couriers. These payment methods create untraceable transactions that benefit criminals while making recovery nearly impossible for victims. Anyone receiving this type of communication should immediately end contact, refuse to send money or identification documents, and contact local law enforcement. The scheme represents a growing threat targeting seniors nationwide, exploiting their respect for authority and fear of legal consequences.
Sources
Wsbtv: Crooks pose as federal agents, steal nearly $70K from elderly Georgia woman, police say
These scums look like choir directors at a local church…I trust the Court will show them that crime to the elderly does not pay.!!!
There is a related problem with this type of crime. I am an OLD guy (82). I GET SCAM CALLS, LETTERS AND EVEN COMPUTER MAIL DAILY. i know it is because of my age and how companies have sold my identity information to anyone who will pay for it (i.e. Scammers). Mentally, I am not as sharp as I was 30-40 years ago but, I have learned to not trust anyone or most of the information we all receive from multiple sources. That is too bad because some of it is actually good information that would make my life a bit easier. These scammers should be demanded to provide the source for their target identities or receive an addition five years in prison. When customers, patients or even prospective customers fill out a form with their personal information, that information is sold. That is against numerous laws that are not enforced. The article claims that some of her money will be returned. I do not believe that for a second. However, a more important violation has been committed. Trust in the safety of our law enforcement providers to insure she will not be targeted again. I speak from personal experience. As an elderly citizen, a scammer tried to get me to bail out a distant relative. IT did not work but I was targeted by many other scams after my identity was posted on a dark board. Politicians and law enforcement waste so much money prosecuting people because they hurt someone’s feeling with a racial slur or misgendering them while our elderly (MOMS AND POPS) are losing their retirements to some criminal scam. People need to be reminded that everyone gets old and it will be their turn to fight for their quality of life.
I am 87 yrs old and I get 5 or 6 scam phone calls daily. I learned years ago to not answer my phone unless I know who is calling. If I accidentally answer one, I just hang up. Thankfully, my mind is still good. I feel bad for those who have actually been scammed. I have my phone number on the do not call list, but I still get scam calls, so that doesn’t help either. I have no suggestion as to how to stop any of it, other than what I am doing. Shortly after my husband passed away, I was contacted about a property we had sold years ago wanting me to sign something supposedly concerning the deed. This property had been sold about 20 yrs ago! A man actually came to my door saying he was a notory, wanting my signature. I told him I was not signing anything!! I never heard anything more. I probably should have immediately called the police about it, but I didn’t. It was from a legitimate company, which scammers will use. My advice is never, ever sign anything!!!