An elderly man in Apple Valley became the latest victim of a phone scammer who swindled him out of his hard-earned cash, police said Monday. The 77-year-old was duped into believing his bank account had been compromised and was instructed to withdraw funds to "keep it safe" – a common ploy that's part of a growing trend of financial deceptions targeting seniors.
The scam commenced on January 12, when the victim was contacted by a scammer posing as a bank official, according to a press release from the Apple Valley Police Department. Entrapped by fear for his financial security, he followed the caller’s instructions to box up his money for a supposed courier to collect. The following day, the perpetrator persisted, prompting another trip to the bank by the unsuspecting victim. However, alert bank employees smelt a rat, contacted a relative of the victim, and deputies were dispatched to the victim's home on Tehachapi Road.
At the residence, deputies played the waiting game and nabbed 19-year-old Kayvaughn Omaryeades Larry when he arrived to pick up the second package. Larry, also a resident of Apple Valley, was subsequently arrested for obtaining money by false pretense and accessory to a crime and is now behind bars at High Desert Detention Center with bail set at $15,000.
The authorities have seized this incident to remind the public to keep their wits about them, as scam artists are rampant and their tactics, endlessly cunning. "Always verify any information a caller gives you by hanging up, calling whatever business, agency, or institution the caller claims to be with, and asking questions," advised the Apple Valley Police Department. Financial institutions, they note, won’t ever ask clients to send cash via a courier.
Victims of phone scams are encouraged to report their experiences to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC compiles this data to track scam patterns, warn others about new schemes, and aid in criminal prosecution where possible. Tips regarding this case can be directed to Deputy Belvin with the Apple Valley Sheriff’s Station at (760) 240-7400 or to the Sheriff's anonymous We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME.
