Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office Foils Scam Targeting Elderly, Arrests Suspects
OAKDALE, CA — On March 21, 2025, a prompt intervention by the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office thwarted a potential scam targeting an elderly resident in Oakdale, California. The incident unfolded when a vigilant bank teller at Wells Fargo noticed an elderly male customer attempting to withdraw $50,000, following a similar withdrawal the previous day. The teller suspected foul play as the customer revealed he was instructed over the phone to make the withdrawal.
Recognizing the signs of a scam, the teller alerted the Sheriff’s Office, prompting an immediate response from the General Crime Unit (GCU) detectives. In a coordinated effort with the Sheriff’s Community Resource Unit, patrol deputies, and Air Support Unit, an undercover operation was set up in collaboration with the victim and Wells Fargo Bank.
The operation deceived the scammers into believing that they would be receiving another $50,000 from the victim at a prearranged location. When the suspects arrived to collect the money, they were arrested and taken into custody. A bail enhancement was also imposed to prevent them from using any potentially stolen funds to secure their release.
The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office has issued a reminder to all residents to remain vigilant against scams, which can often involve requests for large money withdrawals or the sharing of personal information. They especially encourage sharing this information with elderly community members, who are frequently targeted by such scams. The Sheriff’s Office urges anyone who suspects they are a victim of a scam to contact law enforcement immediately.
