Hundreds of people across Hampton Roads have fallen victim to a cell phone scam that’s cost them millions of dollars, simply for trying to help someone who asked to use their phone. The scam, which targets Navy Federal Credit Union customers, has been active for over a year, and federal prosecutors have now indicted 10 individuals allegedly involved in the fraud ring.
The suspects named in the indictment include Rodney Thornton, Steven Carter Jones III, Jamaica Sumner, Troy Lee Davis III, Laterrance Park Jr., Jordan Pugh, Lois Irene Staton, Joy Davis, Persia Brown, and Andrea Holley—all from Norfolk or Virginia Beach. They face charges of wire fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy to launder money.
According to prosecutors, the scam typically starts in a parking lot near a Navy Federal branch. A scammer approaches a victim with a believable story, such as being locked out of their account or needing to contact someone urgently. Once they gain access to the victim’s phone, they quickly access the Navy Federal mobile banking app and begin submitting fraudulent personal loan applications, transferring funds, disputing large transactions to inflate account balances, and sending money via apps like Cash App, Venmo, and Zelle. In some cases, suspects deleted emails or banking apps and returned phones in airplane mode to hide their actions.
Federal authorities say that more than 500 reports have been filed across the region, resulting in over $2 million in losses. At least 33 victims are directly tied to the current indictment, but that number is expected to grow. The suspects typically work in groups, often from rental vehicles, and sometimes include a child to gain sympathy and build trust.
In one documented case, 24-year-old Travis Minson was approached by two men near Lynnhaven Mall in Virginia Beach. They claimed they were from out of town and needed help accessing their Navy Federal account. After Minson handed them his phone, they took out a $7,000 personal loan in his name, which was deposited into his account within seconds. They then transferred the funds to their own accounts and claimed they had sent too much, convincing Minson to give them cash back. Navy Federal later informed him he was still responsible for the loan repayment.
Another victim, Angel Taylor, a 19-year-old college student, was scammed in a Walmart parking lot in Newport News. A man with a crying baby asked to borrow her phone to contact his wife. In just moments, he used her Navy Federal app to take out a $4,000 loan and a cash advance, transferring the money out. Taylor was left with the debt and no arrests were made in her case either.
In addition to the federal indictments, Suffolk Police arrested three more individuals for similar scams: Omari Stephon Woolard, Dirana Lovell Johnson, and Keontay Omarion Britt. Police have noticed an increase in these incidents, especially involving unauthorized transfers through the Navy Federal app. In many cases, victims are left responsible for repaying money they never knowingly borrowed.
WTKR reached out to Navy Federal to ask whether any changes have been made to protect customers or revise loan processes. The credit union declined to say how many members have been impacted but stated they continue to adapt their security practices, enhance digital safeguards, and educate members. Regarding victim liability, Navy Federal said members are only held responsible for transactions they’re believed to have authorized, and each case is reviewed individually.
Victims report contacting Navy Federal immediately after the scams, but most were still told they must repay the full amount. Police urge the public not to let strangers use their phones, no matter how convincing the story might seem, as scammers continue to target well-meaning individuals in high-traffic areas.
