The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office wants the public to be aware of a scam circulating throughout the county targeting some of our most vulnerable citizens.
Through investigative means, deputies have learned of several incidents where elderly citizens have fallen victim to callers claiming to be attorneys requesting large sums of money.
“These criminals are preying on the elders in our community,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “In several cases, these individuals have told the victims that their relative has been in an accident and that they need cash to avoid jail time. Unfortunately, the victims are so worried about their relatives that they fall victim to the scam. The best way to avoid these situations is to hang up and call the relative immediately, do not stay on the phone with the caller.”
On April 13, 2023, a suspect told a 76-year-old victim that their grandson was in jail and needed bail money. The scammer advised the victim to withdraw $18,000 from their account, stating that a courier would come to the home to collect the money. The victim complied with the request, and the suspect arrived at their home, retrieved the cash, and left their home without incident. An elderly victim reported a similar incident the same night with a similar motive targeting another elderly victim.
The suspect’s vehicle is described as a two-door black Ford pickup truck with 35” tires. A photo of the vehicle is provided above. This case is under investigation. Anyone who believes they have been a victim of these crimes is encouraged to contact teamHCSO at 813-247-8200.