MARION COUNTY, Fla. – Deputies in Marion County are asking for the public’s help identifying a woman accused of posing as someone from PayPal who scammed an elderly woman out of nearly $15,000, according to a news release.
The victim said she was on her laptop on March 20 when she received an email stating that she purchased $350 of Bitcoin, but to call the number in the email if the purchase was a mistake.
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The woman told investigators that she called the number and advised a man that she did not purchase the Bitcoin.
According to an incident report, the suspect told the woman that she “would need to conduct an online transaction,” but when she did, the man told her she entered the wrong amount.
Deputies said the suspect then advised the woman that she would need to withdraw cash from her bank account and he would have a courier come to her home and pick up the money.
The woman went to her bank and withdrew $14,600 in cash around 11:25 a.m., according to the report.
The victim then went home and started that around 3:15 p.m., an unknown woman walked up to her residence identifying herself as the courier.
Deputies said the suspect, described as an Asian woman, collected the money from the victim “under the false pretense of a PayPal overpayment.”
Officials did not say area of Marion County the incident happened, but News 6 reached out to the sheriff’s office for more information.
Deputies ask if you if you have any information the identity of the woman in the video below to please call 352-732-9111.
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You can also call in anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers of Marion County at 352-368-STOP or 352-368-7867. Tips can also be submitted at www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. For Crime Stoppers, please reference 25-08 in your tip. If you use Crime Stoppers and your tip leads to an arrest, you may be eligible for a cash reward.
