Anthony Bumpus, 35, of Newark, Ohio, was arrested and charged with felony theft after he scammed an elderly woman out of $24,000, as part of a sting operation conducted by Licking County Sheriff’s deputies. The woman, in her 70s, was targeted by scammers posing as Federal Trade Commission agents who falsely claimed her identity was being used on the dark web and pressured her to “secure her assets.”
Following their instructions, the woman withdrew $24,000 from her bank and handed the money over to Bumpus, who came to her home to collect it. Upon realizing she had been defrauded, she contacted the sheriff’s office. Investigators then worked with her to arrange a second meeting, where Bumpus was expected to collect an additional $25,000. Deputies arrested him on the spot when he arrived at the house.
Detective Sgt. Justin Woodyard expressed concern that there may be more victims and suspects across central Ohio, as scams in Licking County have been on the rise. In 2024 alone, local residents lost $2.2 million to scams, with $158,000 already reported lost in 2025. The sheriff’s office encourages people to stay vigilant and report any suspected fraud.
Woodyard also highlighted the importance of recognizing scam red flags, particularly when scammers ask victims to withdraw large amounts of money, purchase gift cards, or make payments over the phone. He warned that law enforcement will never ask for money, especially under these circumstances.
