A South Carolina woman has been arrested in connection with a phone scam in which a caller impersonated a member of the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department, authorities said.
Veronica Anntonette Oliva, 36, of Columbia, SC, was extradited to Lancaster County on Sunday after being apprehended in her home state, according to Manheim Township Police. She faces charges including dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, theft by deception, criminal conspiracy to commit theft by deception, and receiving stolen property.
Police said the scam occurred on January 30, when a victim received a call from a man claiming to be “Sgt. Dean Mitchell” of the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department. The caller allegedly told the victim they had a warrant for missing jury duty and instructed them to withdraw $12,000 to pay a fee and avoid arrest.
The victim reportedly withdrew the funds and deposited them into a Bitcoin ATM, even though there was no active warrant. Officers traced the Bitcoin transactions, which led to accounts owned by Oliva. The victim had no prior knowledge of or direct communication with her.
Oliva was arraigned by Miles K. Bixler and committed to Lancaster County Prison with bail set at $50,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 26.
