WYTHE COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) – The Wythe County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a South Carolina man accused of defrauding a local senior citizen out of $25,000 through a tech scam.
Deputies say Carlis Orlando Pressley, of Nesmith, South Carolina, was taken into custody and charged with extortion and attempted extortion.
According to investigators, the victim received a fraudulent “Microsoft Alert” on his computer and called the phone number listed in the pop-up. Believing he was speaking with a Microsoft representative and a federal agent, the victim followed their instructions and withdrew $25,000, supposedly to aid in a federal investigation.
Officials say a man later came to the victim’s home to collect the cash. The next day, the scammer demanded another $15,000, threatening the victim with arrest if he refused to pay.
The victim contacted the Wythe County Sheriff’s Office, and investigators arranged a meeting with the suspect. When Pressley arrived to collect the money, he was arrested on the spot. Deputies report that he confessed to the scheme and is currently being held without bond.
Sheriff Cline reminded residents to stay cautious:
“This case is a reminder that scammers often use fear and intimidation to take advantage of good people. If something doesn’t seem right, please call and ask to speak with me.”
The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities urge residents never to send cash or share personal details with anyone claiming to represent a bank or government agency. Suspected scams can be reported by calling the Wythe County Sheriff’s Office at (276) 223-6000.
