Goleta, CA — A 34-year-old woman from Los Angeles has been arrested in connection with an elaborate scam that targeted an elderly Goleta resident, stealing $30,000 in cash through impersonation and fraud.
Suspect Posed as Amazon, FTC Agents
According to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect, identified as Caihong Lei, contacted a 77-year-old Goleta woman on August 4, pretending to be an Amazon employee. She falsely claimed there were unauthorized charges on the victim’s account and that fraudulent bank accounts had been opened in her name.
The call was then transferred to someone posing as a Federal Trade Commission agent, who instructed the victim to withdraw $30,000 from her bank accounts in order to “resolve” the fabricated issues.
“The scammer coached her on fabricating a story to avoid bank suspicion, remained on the line during the withdrawals at two Bank of America branches, and demanded photos of the cash, receipts, herself, and a sealed box containing the money,” court documents revealed via KTLA.
Victim Alerted Authorities Mid-Call
The victim reportedly became suspicious after receiving an email with misspellings from the supposed FTC agent. Still on the call with the scammer, she discreetly contacted local deputies.
When deputies arrived at her home, they observed the suspect lurking near the house, apparently attempting to retrieve the box of money. As Lei approached her vehicle, she was swiftly arrested and taken into custody.
She has been booked into Santa Barbara County Jail on charges of grand theft by false pretense and conspiracy to commit fraud. Bail was set at $500,000.
Similar Scams in Goleta and Montecito That Same Day
The sheriff’s office noted that two additional scams were reported on the same day — one in Goleta involving $40,000, and another in Montecito where the suspect escaped with $45,000.
“The additional scams in Goleta and Montecito involved similar tactics, with victims coerced into withdrawing large sums of money under false pretenses,” the department said. “The Criminal Investigations Division is pursuing further leads, including potential connections to organized scam networks.”
Tips to Avoid Becoming a Victim
Authorities offered the following guidance to help residents protect themselves from similar scams:
- Verify independently: Hang up and call the company or agency directly using numbers from their official website.
- Watch for red flags: Misspelled emails, strange requests (like taking photos with cash), and urgency are all signs of fraud.
- Don’t share personal info: Never give out bank details, passwords, or photos over the phone or email.
- Report suspicious activity: Contact your local law enforcement, and in emergencies, dial 911 or text if necessary.
This case is a reminder that elderly individuals remain top targets for scam operations, often coerced under emotional pressure and fear.
What are your thoughts on how scammers are targeting seniors? Let us know in the comments.
