SEQUIM, Wash. — A 71-year-old woman from Sequim fell victim to a sophisticated scam, losing $125,000 after con artists posing as federal agents deceived her into believing she was part of a money laundering investigation.
The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office reported that the scam began on March 2 when the victim received a call from a man claiming to be from the “Amazon Fraud Department.” He then transferred her to another individual who identified himself as “John Davis,” an “Agent” with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
The so-called agent convinced the woman that her name was linked to a money laundering operation and that she needed to prove her innocence by handing over large sums of money. Under the fraudsters’ instructions, she withdrew significant amounts of cash, purchased a lockbox, and delivered the funds to an “agent” at a local business. Over three separate transactions, she handed over a total of $125,000, each time receiving a one-dollar bill in return.
The scam unraveled when the victim’s bank manager noticed unusual withdrawals and warned her of potential fraud, leading to an investigation by Clallam County Sheriff’s detectives.
On March 12, with assistance from the Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team, deputies organized a sting operation. The victim was instructed to prepare an additional $40,000 for delivery. During the exchange, officers arrested 35-year-old Alla Mashkova of Tacoma, who was identified as the driver of the vehicle involved in the scam.
Authorities interviewed Mashkova with the help of a Ukrainian-speaking interpreter before booking her into Clallam County Jail on charges of Extortion in the Second Degree and Attempted First-Degree Theft.
Investigators believe multiple individuals were involved in the scam, and the case remains under active investigation. Officials urge residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious calls requesting money or personal information.
