Shelby County deputies say a slick-sounding legal help operation was anything but legit, ending this week with two arrests and a trail of Memphis residents who allegedly paid thousands for help they never got.
According to investigators, the scheme funneled community members to specific individuals who posed as legal professionals, collected hefty fees, and then allegedly delivered nothing in return.
Investigation and arrests
According to Country Herald, a complaint that came in on Sunday was enough to launch a full investigation. Detectives say they soon identified 41-year-old Candice Eddins as a key coordinator of the alleged scam.
Investigators allege Eddins worked with another 41-year-old, Derrick Thomas, who was inside the Shelby County jail. The pair is accused of steering multiple victims into paying thousands of dollars for supposed legal services that never materialized.
Scam tactics police warn about
The Shelby County Sheriff's Office notes that scam operations like this often lean hard on legal jargon and impersonation, trying to sound official while turning up the pressure. One big red flag, the office says, is when someone insists you pay with gift cards, money-transfer apps, or cryptocurrency, tactics that make it far harder to claw your cash back later.
The sheriff’s guidance also stresses that legitimate courts or law enforcement will not demand payment over the phone and that anyone seeking representation should verify who they are dealing with before sending a dime. Those standing warnings line up closely with how investigators say this case unfolded.
Arrests, charges and tip line
According to Country Herald, Eddins was arrested on Thursday and booked on counts of impersonating a licensed professional and theft of property between $2,500 and $10,000. Thomas faces the same charges.
Investigators have not yet said how many alleged victims are involved or how much each person is believed to have lost. Anyone who thinks they may have been caught up in the scheme is asked to call investigators at (901) 379-7625, according to the report.
How to protect yourself
People looking for legal help are urged to double-check any attorney or service before paying, using official directories and bar referral services that Tennessee courts recommend. Those public resources link to the Tennessee Bar Association and the Memphis Bar Association, which provide lawyer referrals and tools to confirm credentials.
If you suspect you have run into a scam, officials say you should hang on to receipts and records of calls, texts, or messages, then contact law enforcement or the county detective bureau.
Legal note
Both suspects have been charged, and the investigation remains active. Prosecutors will decide whether to pursue formal indictments. Officials have not released any additional information on court dates or bond.
