LOUDON — Detectives from the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) arrested Valerie Soki Hangi, a Quebec City resident, in mid-October for her role in an elaborate grandparent scam that defrauded at least $60,000 from elderly victims across Loudon and Monroe counties.
According to LCSO, Hangi was involved in a scam targeting grandparents, where callers would impersonate a grandchild in distress, claiming to need bail money after an arrest. To further manipulate victims, scammers would use familiar nicknames the grandchild might use, like “Grandpa” or “Mamaw.” They then connected the victim with a supposed “attorney” who fabricated details about the case to gain the victim’s trust.
After convincing victims to withdraw cash, the scam arranged for a courier—reportedly Hangi—to pick up the funds directly from their homes. Authorities say Hangi was apprehended during a traffic stop en route to collect another $20,000. In her maroon Kia Forte, deputies found a large amount of cash consistent with the amounts stolen from the victims. Multiple victims were able to identify both Hangi and her vehicle.
Law enforcement reports indicate that Hangi arrived in Nashville on October 14, beginning cash pickups on October 15 until her arrest two days later. LCSO believes additional victims may have been defrauded by Hangi and urges them to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 865-458-9081.
The LCSO expressed gratitude to the 9th Judicial District Drug Task Force, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection for their assistance. Authorities anticipate further involvement from local, state, and federal agencies as the investigation continues.
