An alleged Miami gang member is facing charges in a bank scam that authorities say targeted an elderly Florida Keys resident who lost nearly $20,000.
Sheldon Adams Vandyke, 26, was arrested Monday on a felony count of scheming to defraud a person over 65, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
Vandyke was taken into custody at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport by the Broward Sheriff’s Office after returning from a trip to Belize. Investigators say he is affiliated with the ABK, or “Any Body Killer,” gang, known for both violent crimes and white-collar offenses such as identity theft.
Earlier this month, nearly a dozen suspected ABK members were arrested after authorities raided a Miami short-term rental they allegedly used as a fake bank call center to scam victims.
The case involving Vandyke began in October when an 84-year-old Lower Keys resident reported receiving a call from someone falsely claiming to represent Bank of America. The caller — later identified as Vandyke — told the victim there were problems with his account. The victim then provided his banking information, resulting in the loss of about $19,800, officials said.
Security footage reportedly shows Vandyke at Miami ATMs attempting to withdraw money from an account created with the stolen funds.
Miami Police Department’s Gangs Intelligence Unit confirmed that Vandyke is a documented gang member with no legitimate source of income, according to the sheriff’s office.
Vandyke was booked into jail with bond set at $75,000.
Authorities say they are collaborating with bank officials in an effort to recover the victim’s stolen money.
