Two men are in custody and an elderly Deltona resident is out thousands of dollars after what deputies say was a scam that targeted the senior's savings. Body-worn camera video captured the takedown, and the case is adding fuel to growing worries about fraud aimed at older residents.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said deputies tracked down the suspects in Deltona and made the arrests, with a short bodycam clip of the stop published by ClickOrlando. Authorities have not released the suspects’ names or a detailed list of charges, saying the investigation is still active. Local detectives are continuing to work the case while the victim’s losses are being tallied.
Bodycam shows deputies making the stop
The video circulating online shows deputies moving in on a vehicle, ordering out two people, then detaining and handcuffing them before walking them to patrol cars. Law enforcement officials say the victim lost “thousands” of dollars, but they have not publicly explained how the scam worked or whether there are additional locations or victims tied to the case.
Why this matters
Scams targeting older Americans have surged in recent years. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center recorded roughly $4.885 billion in losses connected to elder victims in 2024, with more than 147,000 complaints, according to the FBI. Federal agencies say imposter, tech-support and investment schemes often lean on pressure tactics and secrecy to push victims into wiring money or buying stacks of gift cards.
How to protect seniors and report scams
Federal authorities advise hanging up on unsolicited calls, double-checking the identity of anyone who asks for money, and never sending payment by gift cards or wire transfer, guidance that appears in the Federal Trade Commission’s education efforts and annual reporting on older consumers. If you suspect someone has been defrauded, contact local law enforcement, file at the FBI’s IC3 website, or submit a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov through the FTC, as detailed in a recent FTC release.
