$2 Million Scam: Treasure Island Police Arrest Two Suspects for Targeting Older Woman

A Florida woman was targeted by scammers who posed as Bank of America and Chase Bank employees. The victim received calls on February 10th from people claiming to represent these banks, saying her accounts had been compromised.

The callers convinced the woman that criminals had gained access to her bank accounts and credit cards, and she was kept on the phone for over four hours. They instructed her to send wire transfers to an account they controlled, but a legitimate bank employee eventually stopped a second large transfer after detecting suspicious activity.

Instead of ending the scheme, the scammers convinced the woman that the actual bank employees were part of the scam. They warned her that armed individuals could come to her home and steal her valuables. The suspects then told the woman that her jewelry and precious metals needed to be moved somewhere safe and offered to help protect them.

One of the suspects allegedly went to the victim’s home, entered through an unlocked garage, and removed valuables from an open safe. Police say the stolen property included approximately $1.5 million worth of jewelry and precious metals.