Los Angeles, CA – A 34-year-old woman from Los Angeles has been arrested after allegedly scamming a 77-year-old Goleta resident out of thousands of dollars in an elaborate scheme involving impersonation of Amazon and federal agents.
The suspect, identified as Caihong Lei, is now facing multiple felony charges as authorities investigate possible ties to a broader fraud network.
Scam Begins with a Fake Amazon Call
The incident unfolded on August 4, when the elderly victim received a phone call from someone claiming to be from Amazon, warning of unauthorized charges and fraudulent bank accounts supposedly opened in her name.
The call was then transferred to a fake Federal Trade Commission (FTC) agent who instructed the victim to withdraw $30,000 in cash from two different Bank of America branches as per KTLA.
According to authorities, the scammer remained on the phone the entire time, coaching the victim on how to lie to bank tellers and avoid raising suspicion. She was told to photograph the cash, receipts, and herself, then place everything in a sealed box.
Victim Alertly Calls Police Mid-Scam
The victim grew suspicious after spotting misspellings in follow-up emails from the so-called agent. While still on the phone with the scammer, she contacted the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, prompting immediate action.
When deputies arrived, they found the suspect lingering outside the victim’s home, apparently waiting to collect the box of cash. As she walked back to her vehicle, deputies quickly arrested her without incident.
Lei has been charged with grand theft by false pretense and conspiracy to commit fraud, and is being held at Santa Barbara County Jail on $500,000 bail.
Other Victims and Ongoing Investigation
Authorities say this was not an isolated case. That same day, two additional victims in Goleta and Montecito were defrauded of $40,000 and $45,000 respectively, through similar scam tactics. In those cases, suspects successfully got away with the cash.
“The Criminal Investigations Division is pursuing further leads, including potential connections to organized scam networks,” said the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department.
Investigators are urging the public to remain vigilant and aware of common scam strategies targeting the elderly.
How to Protect Yourself from Scams
In light of the recent spike in fraudulent activity, here are key tips to safeguard against impersonation scams:
- Verify independently: If someone claims there’s an issue with your account, hang up and contact the company directly using official website information.
- Beware of urgency: Scammers often create panic to make you act quickly. Legitimate companies won’t demand cash withdrawals or photos.
- Look for red flags: Poor grammar, misspellings, or unusual requests (like lying to your bank) are clear warning signs.
- Protect your info: Never share personal data, account access, or photos over the phone or email.
- Report suspicious activity: Contact local authorities or your bank immediately if something feels off.
Have you or someone you know been targeted by a scam like this? Share your experience or tips in the comments to raise awareness in your community.
