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Arizona Woman Scammed Out of Over $50,000 Warns Others of Elderly Scammers

PHOENIX — An Arizona woman is warning others about fraudsters who prey on elderly victims after being scammed out of over $50,000.

An 80-year-old woman, identified only as Shirley, contacted the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) on November 20 to report that she believed she was being scammed for thousands of dollars, according to an email statement from PCSO.

Shirley explained to the deputies that she had received an email the previous week, which appeared to be a receipt for antivirus software. Curious about the purchase, she called the attached number to inquire why she had been charged for an item she didn’t buy.

Unbeknownst to Shirley, the person on the other end of the line was a scammer who claimed there was an issue with her bank account. They convinced her to pay them in order to rectify the situation, and over the course of the following week, a “runner” met Shirley twice to collect cash, accumulating a total of over $50,000. Shirley admitted that she had fallen for the scam.

Authorities Capture Suspect Thanks to Shirley’s Alertness

Shirley decided she had enough after the third cash transfer and contacted the authorities to inform them that the runner would be coming. PCSO swiftly assembled units in a neighborhood on November 20 to stake out the suspect. When the runner spotted the deputies, he initially attempted to flee but eventually stopped, as confirmed by Deputy Chris Bowles in a video statement.

Deputies arrested Wenbin Li, a 21-year-old Chinese national in the county on an asylum claim, according to PCSO. Bowles emphasized that it’s rare to take action on these types of calls due to call centers being located overseas, making it challenging for law enforcement to intervene.

However, PCSO is still searching for the man who was talking to Shirley over the phone during the scam. Authorities encourage anyone with information to come forward.

Elderly Individuals Often Targeted in Scams

Scammers frequently target elderly individuals, according to the FBI. Seniors are often vulnerable to scams due to their financial savings, good credit, and home ownership. Unfortunately, many seniors are hesitant to report fraud due to feelings of shame or a lack of knowledge about how to do so. They may also worry that their family members will lose confidence in their ability to manage their finances.

Protecting Yourself from Scammers

The FBI provides information on various types of scams, along with explanatory videos and tips on protecting oneself on their website. Individuals are advised to conduct thorough research on online offers, be cautious of unsolicited calls, avoid sharing personal information, be careful when downloading files, and take appropriate measures to safeguard their identity.

If you believe you have fallen victim to elder fraud or have any information regarding such incidents, you can contact the FBI Phoenix field office at 623-466-1999 or submit a tip online.

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