An 82-year-old in Florida was scammed out of $18,400, with police looking for fake FBI agents protecting a very important shoebox.
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The sad caper went down in Windermere, a posh town outside of Orlando, on Oct. 13, according to Orlando outlet Fox 35. Detectives explained that individuals posing as FBI agents contacted the elderly Windermere resident, claiming they were conducting a bank fraud investigation.
With the scenario established, a woman dressed in FBI-labeled attire later arrived at the 82-year-old's home, driving a "silver Toyota car."
She allegedly left the elderly resident's home with a shoebox filled with $18,400.
Fox 35 published an image of the alleged fake FBI agent. Her face is obscured by her silver Toyota car. However, she appears to be a middle-aged Caucasian woman with brunette hair and several age marks on her face. On her pulled-back hair rests a pair of black sunglasses.
Meanwhile, Windermere's top cop urged locals to be wary of people appearing to be law enforcement asking for cash payments.
"These criminals use fear and the appearance of authority to take advantage of people," Chief David Ogden explained in a news release. "If someone claiming to represent law enforcement asks you to withdraw money and hand it over to a courier, stop and contact your local police department."
The department also urges families to discuss scams like this.
Anyone with tips for the ongoing investigation is urged to reach out to Sgt. John Allen at (407) 909-5306.
Why This Cash in the Shoebox Scam May Sound Familiar...
Sadly, this cash-in-the-shoebox scam isn't new.
This latest incident follows a nearly identical case in the Cleveland area. Over the phone, scammers convinced a 71-year-old woman that her computer was loaded with viruses. They told her she needed to place her funds in a secure location, according to News 5 Cleveland.
The woman withdrew $30,000 in cash. She reportedly told her bank it was for a home renovation at the advice of the scammers. They then instructed the woman to place the cash into a shoebox. She met them at a neaby Khols... which conveniently lacked security cameras.
After handing over the shoebox full of money and later realizing she'd been scammed, she reportedly told police she thought the scammers were being helpful and looking out for her best interests.
"They seemed like they were trying to help me, but instead, they were the scammers," she reportedly said.
