FAISON — A Greensboro man was taken into custody last Friday after Sampson County sheriff’s investigators say they turned the tables on an alleged financial scam targeting a 73-year-old resident, setting up a sting that ended when the suspect arrived to collect what he believed was another large package of cash.
Raheem Jahata Gales, 31, was arrested Aug. 28 in the Giddensville Road area of Faison following an investigation that began a day earlier, according to Marcus Smith, chief deputy with the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office.
He was ultimately charged with one felony count each of exploitation of a disabled or elderly person, attempted obtaining property by false pretenses and felony conspiracy.
Smith said the investigation began after concerns were raised that the 73-year-old victim had fallen prey to a financial scam involving someone falsely claiming to represent the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Investigators learned that an unknown caller had contacted the woman by telephone and claimed to be an FDIC agent. The caller allegedly told her that her checking account had been “breached” and convinced her that she needed to assist federal authorities with an investigation and the arrest of the person responsible.
On two separate occasions, sheriff’s officials noted, the caller instructed the woman to remain on a FaceTime call while she traveled to local banks and withdrew tens of thousands of dollars in cash.She was then directed to return home, where someone posing as an “agent” arrived to collect the money.
Believing she was assisting with a legitimate federal investigation, the woman continued following the caller’s instructions until the situation was brought to the attention of the Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators contacted the victim and began looking into the scheme. While they were working with her, sheriff’s officials said, the alleged scammer called again and attempted to arrange another cash pickup.
This time, investigators were waiting.
Throughout the day Aug. 28, investigators worked with the victim, local financial institutions and other law enforcement agencies in Sampson County to make those involved in the alleged scheme believe another large amount of cash was ready to be collected.
A surveillance operation was established near the woman’s residence, and the victim agreed to assist investigators by continuing to act as the intended target of the planned pickup.
Smith said at approximately 5:45 p.m., a silver Cadillac arrived at the residence to retrieve the supposed package of cash. Investigators moved in and detained the driver, identified as Gales.
Sheriff’s officials said Gales and the vehicle matched information investigators had gathered during the probe, including descriptions obtained through the victim’s FaceTime communications with the alleged scammer. According to investigators, Gales could not provide a legitimate explanation for being at the woman’s residence.
Officers continued working the case late into Friday night.
Gales was initially confined in the Sampson County Detention Center without bond for 48 hours as required under Iryna’s Law. On Sunday, Gales was issued a $20,000 secured bond, which was posted shortly afterward, resulting in his release from custody.
Smith said the case highlights a common tactic used by scammers — creating fear and urgency to pressure a victim into acting before having an opportunity to question what is happening.
“These scammers are intentionally targeting our elderly citizens because they believe they can use fear and intimidation to take advantage of them,” Smith said. “They create a sense of urgency and try to convince the victim that something terrible will happen if they don’t act immediately.”
Smith stressed that legitimate law enforcement agencies will not instruct residents to withdraw large amounts of cash and turn the money over to someone arriving at their home.
“I want our citizens to understand this clearly: law enforcement is never going to call you and tell you to withdraw thousands of dollars in cash or send someone to your home to collect money,” Smith said. “If you receive a call like this, hang up and call us.”
He also urged potential victims not to allow embarrassment or uncertainty to prevent them from contacting authorities.
“Don’t be embarrassed and don’t be afraid to ask questions,” Smith said. “We would much rather spend a few minutes helping you determine whether something is legitimate than have you lose thousands of dollars to a criminal.”
Sheriff Jimmy Thornton praised the victim for cooperating with investigators once the alleged scheme was discovered and also credited investigators, financial institutions and partner law enforcement agencies for working together to intercept the planned pickup.
“This case is a great example of what can happen when a victim, our local banks, and law enforcement work together,” Thornton said.
Investigators are encouraging residents to talk with elderly relatives, friends and neighbors about financial scams and the tactics commonly used by those carrying them out.
Residents should be particularly suspicious, they said, of anyone claiming to represent a government or law enforcement agency who demands cash, gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers or another form of immediate payment.
Anyone receiving such a call should end the conversation and independently contact the agency the caller claims to represent or local law enforcement before providing money or personal financial information.