Garland, TX – A 22-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with a phone scam that defrauded an elderly couple of more than $25,000, according to Garland Police.
On August 6, officers responded to a Chase Bank on the 3200 block of Broadway Boulevard after an 80-year-old man and his 77-year-old wife reported being deceived into withdrawing large sums of money. The couple told police they received a phone call from someone claiming to be from their bank and the FBI.
Over the course of several hours, the scammers manipulated the victims into withdrawing over $25,000 from their account. They were instructed to hand the money over in a parking lot to a woman who falsely claimed to be an FBI agent.
After realizing they had been scammed, the couple contacted authorities. Garland detectives later identified the suspect as Jessica Bahu, a resident of Frisco.
Bahu was arrested on August 20 on a warrant for exploitation of the elderly, a third-degree felony. She was booked into the Garland Detention Center with her bond set at $100,000. She has since posted bond.
Garland Police are now working with the FBI to investigate potential federal charges. Authorities believe additional individuals may have been involved in the scam.
