A vigilant rideshare driver prevented an elderly woman from losing $8,000 to scammers posing as her son’s attorney, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
- The driver, who was hired to deliver a package to Covington, Louisiana on March 18, became suspicious when offered $700 for the delivery fee. After picking up the package from an 87-year-old woman near Shalimar, the driver noticed she appeared to be following instructions from someone on the phone.
When the driver observed the suspicious taped cereal box, he contacted law enforcement. Deputies discovered $8,000 in cash inside the package.
“If the hair stands up on the back of your neck, it probably is not legit,” Sheriff Aden said. “We always say: see something, say something.”
Investigators located the woman and learned she had received a call from someone claiming to be her son’s attorney, saying her son was in jail in Colorado and needed bail money. She was instructed to send the money via rideshare delivery.
Deputies confirmed the woman’s son was not in jail and had not requested bail money.
“It totally saved this lady from losing $8,000,” Sheriff Aden said. “We just want to try and reiterate to the public, if you hear something and you are the least bit skeptical, please contact us.”
The sheriff’s office returned the money to the victim and provided guidance on protecting herself from future scams. An active investigation is underway.
- Sheriff Aden noted that similar scams originate outside the United States from countries without extradition treaties. This case targeted someone in “one of our very affluent retirement communities.”
The sheriff’s office reminded residents that they will never call or email requesting cash for missed jury service, unpaid tickets, warrants, or similar situations — all common scams in recent years.
