BARNSTABLE, Mass. — A Texas man has been charged in connection with a phone scam that allegedly defrauded a Barnstable resident of nearly $50,000.
Deterrjon Johnson, 22, of Missouri City, Texas, was extradited to Massachusetts and arraigned in Barnstable District Court. He faces charges of larceny over $1,200 by false pretenses and receiving stolen property over $1,200. The court set bail at $2,500.
According to Barnstable police, the scam occurred in August when a local resident received a call from someone claiming to be a representative of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The caller allegedly warned that the victim’s bank account had been compromised and instructed them to move their money into a so-called “safe and secure” account.
Police said the suspect remained on the phone while guiding the victim through multiple cash withdrawals and deposits. In total, nearly $50,000 was transferred into the fraudulent account.
After the incident was reported, Detective Erik McNeice and Officer David Downs launched an investigation aimed at recovering the funds and identifying the suspect. Authorities later determined that Johnson allegedly created the “safe and secure” account and withdrew large sums through a bank account registered under the name “D. Johnson Global LLC.”
With assistance from the Cape and Islands District Attorney’s Office and the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit, Johnson was arrested on a warrant and extradited to Massachusetts.
Police continue to urge residents to immediately cease contact with suspected scammers and notify both their bank and local law enforcement if they believe they have been targeted.
