A Gaithersburg man has been arrested in Culpeper County, Virginia, in connection with what authorities describe as an elaborate scheme targeting elderly victims.
According to the Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office, detectives were notified on September 14 of a potential fraud involving an 80-year-old resident. Investigators learned the victim had been contacted by individuals falsely claiming to be agents of the U.S. Treasury Department. The suspects allegedly told the victim that unless large sums of cash were paid, she would face criminal charges.
Over the course of several days, the victim provided more than $26,000 in cash. Detectives were able to intervene and arranged for the suspects to collect an additional $10,000. When one of the men arrived to pick up the money, he was taken into custody without incident.
The suspect, identified as James Smith, 30, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, was charged with money laundering, conspiracy to commit a felony, and obtaining money by false pretenses. He was booked into jail and is being held without bond.
Authorities said the money collected in the scheme was intended to be forwarded overseas, calling it part of a larger, highly convincing scam that preys on elderly victims. Sheriff T.W. Chilton condemned the crime, saying, “What kind of person does this to the elderly, sometimes taking their entire life savings. We get these types of calls daily with usually no leads. Thankfully this clown wasn’t that resourceful and he can stare out the bars until court!”
The Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office is urging residents to remain vigilant and to contact law enforcement immediately if they receive suspicious calls, texts, or emails from individuals demanding money.
