Volusia Sheriff's Office warn residents against cash scam using Uber drivers

Ormond Beach Observer
News

The Volusia Sheriff's Office has issued an alert regarding a scam involving individuals sending Uber drivers or other couriers to victims' homes to pick up thousands of dollars in cash, a press release reported on Thursday, April 8.

VSO has seen three similar cases occur in the last month, and a fourth was recently reported to the Ormond Beach Police Department. VSO has shared surveillance video on social media where, in one case, an Uber driver arrives at a drop-off site in Orlando, where he handed a 78-year-old DeLand woman's $17,500 to an unidentified suspect. Deputies report the Uber driver has been "extremely cooperative with detectives and is not charged with any crime."

Sheriff Mike Chitwood is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect seen in the video.

These types of scams involve a person calling a victim and claiming that a family member (oftentimes a grandson) was just in a car crash, or arrested, or in some kind of legal trouble, and in quick need of thousands of dollars. According to VSO, sometimes a second caller may get on the phone to pose as an attorney, law enforcement officer or some other official. The victims of these scams are generally senior citizens, and agree to withdraw cash and hand it over to a driver who shows up at their home.

"These scams have been going on for years, but the Uber/courier aspect is new," said VSO in a press release. "In the past, scammers relied on victims buying gift cards and providing the gift card numbers over the phone. Now they will send someone right to your grandmother's door to take her money."

VSO is asking residents to share this information with friends and family, especially those who are older and may be susceptible to falling victim to the scam.

Anyone who recognizes the suspect in the video is asked to call 386-254-1537 to identify him and potentially qualify for a $25,000 reward. Those who wish to stay anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida at 888-277-TIPS or via the P3 Tips app to potentially qualify for a reward of up to $5,000.