TROUTMAN, N.C. – Elderly Scam Artist Arrested After Posing as FBI Agent

TROUTMAN, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office has reported the arrest of a Georgia man who attempted to scam elderly individuals by pretending to be an FBI agent.

On Tuesday, January 30, deputies received a report regarding a man who was falsely claiming to be affiliated with the FBI. The suspect had targeted a residence on Hazel Lane in Troutman.

The Scheme

According to law enforcement officials, the suspect would contact elderly individuals and inform them that their bank accounts had been compromised. He would then convince them to withdraw all their money and hand it over to the FBI. The scammer would then show up at the victims’ homes, posing as an FBI agent there to collect the cash.

Law Enforcement Intervention

Acting on the information provided by the homeowner in Troutman, deputies set up surveillance around the premises. When the suspect arrived at the residence and engaged in conversation with the woman at the door, he was promptly arrested. The apprehended individual was identified as 62-year-old Bin Zhu, a resident of Sandy Springs, Georgia.

Seizure of Evidence

During Zhu’s arrest, law enforcement officials discovered that he had narcotics in his vehicle. Zhu admitted to being at the residence to collect money and the subsequent search of his vehicle led to the seizure of $3,890 in cash, as well as several vials containing cocaine and ecstasy.

Consequences

Zhu is currently being held without bail at the Iredell County Detention Center following his appearance before a magistrate. Sheriff Campbell commended the victim for promptly reporting the suspicious activity, stating, “The victim did the right thing by calling law enforcement when she felt that something was not right. We encourage anyone with an uneasy feeling to always reach out. We are here for you!”

Sheriff Campbell also highlighted the convenience of the Iredell Sheriff App, which allows users to effortlessly submit tips in seconds, eliminating the need for phone calls.

Conclusion

The arrest of Bin Zhu highlights the importance of remaining vigilant against scams targeting vulnerable populations. By promptly reporting suspicious activity, individuals can help law enforcement prevent further victimization. The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office encourages everyone to utilize the Iredell Sheriff App to submit tips and stay connected with local authorities.

Source: QUEEN CITY NEWS