Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit (CFEU) has dismantled six major cybercrime schemes over the past three months, targeting seniors, businesses, and individuals across Florida.
These efforts have resulted in the seizure of nearly $2.4 million in stolen cryptocurrency funds in 2024. Out of the seized amount, over $100,000 has already been returned to victims, with more than $2.2 million pending restitution.
“Our Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit works tirelessly to track down cybercriminals exploiting Floridians, especially our seniors,” said Attorney General Ashley Moody. “In just three months, we’ve taken down six major schemes. As technology evolves, so do scammers’ tactics, but my office is committed to protecting Floridians and holding cybercriminals accountable.”
The recent cases highlight the aggressive measures taken by the CFEU. Three of the six schemes specifically targeted older Floridians. In one case, Tamer Elia, an employee at Fifth Third Bank, was caught stealing the personal and financial information of 13 seniors and attempting to drain their accounts. Fifth Third Bank identified the fraud and collaborated with the CFEU to put a stop to it.
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Another case involved Jose Batista, who operated a grandparent scam. Batista posed as a distressed grandchild in need of bail money, often claiming involvement in a car crash with a pregnant woman. He sent couriers to collect cash withdrawn by his victims.
Meanwhile, a fraudulent cryptocurrency trading website that mimicked legitimate platforms tricked victims into depositing funds. The site falsely displayed significant financial gains to convince users to invest more money, which was then funneled into scammers’ accounts.
The CFEU also took down three identity theft operations. In one scheme, Jamie Bain stole a university student’s identity to secure a $12,000 loan and attempted to purchase a fishing boat. Another scam involved Zachary Jones, who used a stolen identity to purchase a car, sold it for cash, and then falsely reported the vehicle as stolen to double his profits.
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Donald Johnson, in yet another case, redirected Florida businesses’ mail to his home address to intercept checks, refunds, and receipts, stealing nearly $140,000 from various companies.
Florida remains one of the few states utilizing domain seizures to combat fraudulent websites, showcasing its proactive stance against cybercrime. The CFEU continues to provide resources to educate Floridians about cyber scams, offering information in both English and Spanish on the Florida Attorney General’s website.
To report cyber scams, Floridians are encouraged to contact local law enforcement or file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov.
The CFEU, a collaborative effort of criminal and civil attorneys, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and other law enforcement agencies, remains dedicated to prosecuting cybercriminals and safeguarding Floridians from cyber threats.
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