SACRAMENTO COUNTY, Calif. — An 82-year-old Sacramento County woman, Donna Ouchida, was scammed out of $35,000 after falling victim to an elaborate fraud that began with a message about a suspicious credit card charge.
“I got this message that said, ‘Is this $200-and-something charge yours? If not, call this number,’” Ouchida recalled. Just a week earlier, her credit card had been compromised, so she called the number.
On the other end of the line was a man claiming to be from the U.S. Treasury, warning her that her identity had been stolen and credit cards were opened in her name globally.
“I got scared,” said Ouchida.
The scam escalated quickly. The caller sent her a fake arrest warrant and demanded she prove she wasn’t laundering money by sending $50,000 in cash.
Following instructions, she first withdrew $15,000 and mailed it, hiding it in a box with toys to make it appear like a gift. The scammer then demanded more: she withdrew $20,000, which was picked up in person. Surveillance footage captured the suspect’s vehicle.
“I wasn’t allowed to talk to the person, except ask their name and password,” she explained.
When the scammer pushed for a third payment—nearly $18,000—Ouchida became suspicious. She told her family, who intercepted the package before it was sent.
“He was so concerned they’d come back—that they’d come to my house,” she said.
The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office is now investigating. Sgt. Amar Gandhi noted that these scams are alarmingly common.
“They’ll use everything—from promises of riches to straight-out fear tactics,” Gandhi said.
According to the FBI, Californians lost over $832 million to fraud in 2024 alone, with seniors being prime targets.
In August, a similar scam claimed another woman’s life savings of $30,000—a case that inspired Ouchida to share her story.
“It’s really terrible. I know I should’ve known better,” she said. “If you see a phone number you don’t recognize, don’t answer it.”
Authorities urge anyone who suspects fraud to contact law enforcement immediately and never send cash to unknown individuals.
