DAYTON, Ohio – On Tuesday, June 17, two men were arrested in Auglaize County after allegedly scamming an elderly man.
On Monday, June 16, the man notified the Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) that he had been duped out of a significant sum of money. He told the office that he had received calls and text messages informing him that his bank’s money was not safe and had been compromised.
He believed them and agreed to go to his bank and withdraw a large sum of money. Once he had the cash, the scammers allegedly told him they would come by, pick it up, and issue him a cashier’s check for the same amount.
One of the scammers then allegedly went to the man’s home and stole the money. He spoke with him about ‘other investments’ and tried to arrange another withdrawal and pick-up.
The man’s family was informed of what had happened and contacted the ACSO. This is when the initial investigation started.
The Grand Lake Task Force, the Lima F.B.I. Office, and the Safe Streets Task Force all collaborated to help arrange another pick-up for a larger sum of money.
When the two men arrived on Wednesday, June 17, they were promptly arrested. They allegedly had a lot of money on them. They were both transported to the Auglaize County Corrections Center, identified, and charged.
Both the 32- and 37-year-old men are charged with Complicity/Theft by Deception. (Third-degree felony.)
The Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office thanked the Grand Lake Task Force, the FBI Lima Office, Ben Elder, the Auglaize County Prosecutors Office, and the Safe Streets Task Force for their invaluable assistance. It also thanked the community.
The ACSO is not naming the bank involved in this case because it is still under investigation. However, it also sent a thank you message to it.
“Without [the bank’s] cooperation, the operation would not have been able to have the outcome it did,” the American Civil Liberties Union said.
Sheriff Vorhees wants to remind people that if they are randomly contacted and asked to turn over money to them, it is most likely a scam. If this occurs, please notify local law enforcement immediately.
2 NEWS will track this case as it progresses.
