A Port St. Lucie man is accused of posing as a courier and walking away with about $44,400 in cash from a 73-year-old Boynton Beach woman, after an alleged scam that played out over the phone and at the gate of her own community.
Deputies say the operation leaned on remote computer access, a bogus refund and a pickup code to keep the victim on the line while she hurried to the bank, then handed over cash at her gated entrance.
According to WPEC (CBS12), the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office arrested 31-year-old Jefferson Paul on June 1 on charges of organized scheme to defraud and grand theft involving a victim over the age of 65.
Investigators told the station the case dates back to early October 2025, when the woman spotted a $450 charge on her bank account and, thinking it was tied to antivirus software, dialed what she believed was a legitimate support number. Instead, she reportedly reached a scammer who took remote control of her computer and changed what she saw on her screen so it appeared she had received a $45,000 refund.
Following the caller’s instructions, the woman went to a Chase branch in Delray Beach on Oct. 2 and withdrew $30,000 in cash, then later turned over another $14,400 after being given a pickup code, according to the report.
How The Scam Worked
Detectives say the setup fits a familiar pattern. Scammers often use fake tech support numbers and remote desktop tools to seize control of a victim’s screen, then stage phony banking messages to convince people large sums have appeared or gone missing.
The Federal Trade Commission’s annual report on protecting older consumers has noted growing losses from impersonation and tech support fraud, while the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center has reported an increase in elder-fraud complaints and big-dollar hits against seniors in recent years.
In this case, investigators say the tactics lined up with those national trends. Keeping the victim on the phone and sending a so-called courier to pick up cash are meant to cut off chances for a reality check with family, friends or bank employees before the money is gone.
Police Trace Car And Identify Suspect
According to deputies, surveillance video from the woman’s gated community showed a silver Nissan Rogue near the entrance at the times the cash exchanges took place. Records indicated the vehicle was a rental, and investigators say it was tied back to Paul.
Deputies told WPEC (CBS12) that Paul had the Nissan from late September into early October, overlapping with the dates the victim says she handed over money. Both the woman and her husband later picked Paul out of a photo lineup, and authorities estimate her total loss at about $44,400.
What To Do If You Suspect Fraud
Law enforcement and federal agencies urge people to be extra skeptical of anyone who calls out of the blue about computer problems or bank refunds. They recommend confirming customer service numbers on official websites, refusing remote access to your devices from unsolicited callers and double-checking any urgent money request with family members or bank staff before you move a dime.
If you think you or someone you know has been targeted, federal officials say to report it. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center and the Federal Trade Commission both collect reports and tips that can help investigators spot patterns and build cases: IC3 and ReportFraud.FTC.gov.
Keep receipts, call logs and any screenshots, notify your bank as quickly as possible and consider reaching out to elder-fraud assistance programs for help with next steps and prevention advice.
Charges And What Comes Next
Paul faces the elder-theft related charges outlined by investigators, and the case remains an active investigation. Prosecutors will decide how to formally file the case as detectives continue gathering evidence and following up on leads.
