BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Earlier this week, News 6 reported on a new scheme targeting family members of people in jail in Osceola County.
Following that, a Brevard County mother, Colleen Torhan, shared her experience of falling victim to the scheme, which cost her thousands of dollars just before the holidays.
At the beginning of December, Torhan received a phone call that seemed legitimate.
“They had his name. Everything. I mean, first, middle, last, everything and date of birth,” she said.
The caller claimed she could get Torhan’s recently-arrested son out on GPS monitoring — for a price.
“I should’ve seen the signs, but I didn’t see the signs. Had I known what a Cash App was, I would’ve known what was going on,” Torhan said.
Law enforcement agencies around Central Florida have alerted residents about this new scheme.
It involves people pretending to be jail representatives, making false claims to loved ones of people in the jail about how they can be released, and asking for payment through apps like Zelle, Cash App, Apple Pay, PayPal and Venmo.
“It’s a program, he’ll be monitored, we’ll be watching him, he’s getting psychological help, he’ll get drug tested, he’ll get all this stuff. Everything I want to hear to happen for my son,” Torhan said.
The 68-year-old mother felt pressured to send more money, even after questioning the callers.
“I said, ‘Wait a minute, why do I have to come up with more money?’ I can’t do this. I’m crying, I’m really getting upset, and he says, ‘You know what, we can stop right now, and you just gave the state $2,000. They’ll take your money if you don’t finish this,’” she explained.
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After giving them over $4,000, the scammers sent her “paperwork” to prove her son would be released—but he never was.
Torhan filed a police report, hoping authorities would be able to catch those responsible and prevent others from being scammed.
“The sheriff’s department will not be calling you; the police department does not call you to tell you about anything going on in the jail. That’s the first thing the cop told me,” Torhan said. “I’d like for him to give me my money and go to jail.”
Authorities advise that if you get a call claiming to come from a jail, do not send any money, and that you verify bonding or release information directly with the jail or a licensed bonding agency, then report the call to the authorities.