A Georgia woman has been arrested for allegedly impersonating a captain with the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office as part of a fraud scheme that targeted victims through intimidation and threats of jail time.
Authorities say D’Zyre Youngblood, 28, of Atlanta, posed as a law enforcement officer to scam victims while working with inmates inside the Georgia prison system who helped orchestrate the operation.
According to investigators with the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office Financial Crimes Unit, the scheme came to light after a local woman reported losing $79,000. The victim believed she had been contacted by “Captain Dietrich,” an actual captain with the sheriff’s office. However, officials say the person behind the calls was Youngblood impersonating the officer.
Detectives were able to track Youngblood through Bitcoin wallet transfers connected to the fraudulent payments.
Deputies later arrested Youngblood, who now faces charges of grand theft and organized scheme to defraud.
Authorities say the operation was part of a broader scam run by inmates in the Georgia prison system who relied on individuals outside the prison to collect and move the stolen funds.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has also warned the public about an increase in scams involving criminals pretending to be law enforcement officers.
“These fraudsters are capitalizing on fear and intimidation because nobody wants to be the victim of a crime or the subject of a law enforcement investigation,” said FBI Atlanta Acting Special Agent in Charge Peter Ellis in a statement. “The FBI will actively pursue and charge those who participate in such criminal activity.”
Officials say scammers often contact victims through phone calls, text messages or emails while posing as police officers or government officials.
The FBI advises that people should never share personal information, credit card numbers, prepaid card details or money with someone claiming to be law enforcement over the phone. Federal authorities emphasize that legitimate agencies do not call individuals demanding money or personal identifying information.
