A woman was arrested for a scam targeting a Florida victim.
A Leon County woman lost thousands of dollars in a jury duty warrant scam.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested 56-year-old Brenda Huggins, of Charleston, South Carolina, on one count of grand theft.
The victim received a phone call from an individual claiming she had missed jury duty and had a warrant for her arrest. She was instructed to pay her “fines” using Green Dot prepaid debit cards purchased at multiple businesses in Leon County.
FDLE’s investigation began in after FDLE’s Economic Crime Squad received the report from the Leon County woman who lost thousands of dollars in a warrant scam.
Agents identified Huggins as the person withdrawing the victim’s money from ATMs in Charleston, South Carolina.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) obtained a search warrant for Huggins’ residence in Charleston. On that same day, FDLE obtained a warrant for her arrest. She was subsequently arrested on site by officers with the Charleston Police Department. Huggins was in put in jail before her extradition to Florida.
The case is being prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney, Second Judicial Circuit. The investigation remains active, according to law enforcement.
Impersonation scams are becoming more common in Florida. Scammers often call unsuspecting victims, demand money, and threaten arrest or legal action if their demands are not met. Legitimate law enforcement agencies do not contact individuals by phone or email to demand payment or threaten arrest. Do not provide personal or financial information. Hang up immediately.
If you or someone you know may have fallen victim to a scam or fraud, contact your local law enforcement agency or report it directly to the Federal Trade Commission.
