Hogansville police say a slick fraud crew posing as federal agents has drained a local resident of more than $300,000. One brazen meetup inside city limits on Feb. 26 alone involved a $60,000 cash handoff, part of a series of alleged transactions. This week, investigators doubled down on their appeal for help, releasing a forensic sketch and photos of vehicles they believe are tied to the scheme.
According to WSB‑TV, the Feb. 26 exchange happened within Hogansville city limits and involved a man who met the victim to pick up $60,000 in cash. Police told the outlet they believe three to four people repeatedly targeted the same victim, winning trust by pretending to be federal officials and flashing fake federal‑warrant templates. Investigators say the main suspect scoped the area with counter‑surveillance before the meetup while a second vehicle hung back to watch the handoff.
Sketch and vehicle photos released
Officers have circulated a forensic sketch of “suspect #3,” created by a Georgia Bureau of Investigation forensic artist, alongside photos of two vehicles they say are connected to the thefts, according to FOX 5 Atlanta. Officials said video and observations at the scene, including one person visibly checking for police while another stayed nearby, indicate the exchange was carefully planned rather than a spur‑of‑the‑moment move.
A wider pattern of impersonation scams
The FTC has reported a sharp rise in cash payments to government‑impersonation scammers, with reported losses to these imposters climbing into the hundreds of millions of dollars, underscoring how devastating these cons can be. Local coverage has also shared FBI warnings about fraudsters who spoof government phone numbers and pressure people to move money, as WALB reported.
What to do if you've been targeted
Anyone who recognizes the man in the sketch or the vehicles is asked to contact Sgt. Detective Williams at [email protected] or by phone at 706‑637‑6648, police said in a release to WSB‑TV. If you or someone you know has been targeted, authorities advise contacting your bank immediately, filing a local police report, and submitting a complaint to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov. Keep copies of any messages, photos, or account activity, and avoid sending cash, gift cards, or cryptocurrency to anyone who claims to represent the government.
