Elderly couple scammed out of at least $18,000 in Norfolk

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — After scamming an elderly couple out of thousands of dollars, a 24-year-old has pleaded guilty in Norfolk on Tuesday.

The scam caller said the victims' were being flagged for suspicious transactions and they were in possession of fraudulent funds. At some point, the caller had the victims share over the phone an authentication passcode allowing the scam caller access to the victims' credit union account.

$18,000 of the stolen money was transferred to Bates' bank account.

On Oct. 7, Bates went to the credit union after his account was frozen by the bank due to his suspicious activity, and an employee called Norfolk Police officers to report Bates for fraud.

Detectives spoke with the victims, who explained the phone scam, and with managers at the credit union, who authenticated the victims' bank account records. Using that information, detectives secured charges against Bates for obtaining money by false pretenses and computer fraud.

Luckily, the credit union restored the victims' money. On Tuesday, Bates pleaded guilty to both felonies.

"In a world of online transactions and online banking, criminal actors do not need a gun to steal; they can steal thousands of dollars with a smartphone," said Commonwealth's Attorney Ramin Fatehi. "Financial crimes may not involve violence, but they ruin lives, and they are serious crimes. We intend to seek a sentence against Mr. Barnes that fits the seriousness of his offense."

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