Lynnwood fraud case: Police arrest man in alleged theft of $600,000 from retired victims

The Lynnwood Police Department (LPD) announced Friday it detained a suspect in an alleged scam that led to the theft of more than $600,000 from a series of retired victims.

In a news release about the Lynnwood fraud case, the LPD stated that, at its request, the U.S. Marshal’s Service arrested a 41-year-old man in Baldwin Park, California, which is in Los Angeles County, on Dec. 19.

During the department’s investigation, which remains ongoing, the LPD developed probable cause for the arrests of the suspect for first-degree theft and first-degree criminal impersonation.

On the day of his arrest, the suspect, who was not named in the department’s press statement, was booked into the Los Angeles County Jail. He was extradited to back to the state of Washington Thursday and booked into the Snohomish County Jail.

More on the Lynnwood fraud case and tips to avoid future scams

In the course of its probe, the LPD reported detectives learned the victims were prompted by a 1-800 number that led them to believe the caller was a U.S. Treasury Agent demanding money. The department revealed the scam led to more than $600,000 being stolen from the victims, who were retired.

While discussing the Lynnwood fraud case, the LPD’s news release explained these types of scams “are very common, are very sophisticated, and can seem very real.” In addition, potential criminals “frequently targets the elderly and/or vulnerable adult population.”

The FBI has a significant amount of information on its website about elder fraud, noting that “older Americans seem to be disproportionately impacted by scams and fraud.” The law enforcement agency stated more than 101,000 victims 60 and over reported this kind of crime in 2023. Meanwhile, victims under the age of 20 years old seemed to be the least-impacted group, with about 18,000 victims reporting scams and frauds in 2023.

Going further, the FBI also reported the scams targeting people aged 60 and older caused more than $3.4 billion in losses in 2023, which is an increase of about 11% from the year before. The average victim of elder fraud lost $33,915 in 2023.

The FBI outlines several reasons why potential scammers often target seniors, starting with the likelihood of them being nicer and financially secure.

“Seniors are often targeted because they tend to be trusting and polite. They also usually have financial savings, own a home, and have good credit—all of which make them attractive to scammers,” an FBI article states.

In addition, the FBI explains seniors may be less inclined to report crimes for various reasons and concerns.

“Seniors may be less inclined to report fraud because they don’t know how, or they may be too ashamed at having been scammed,” the FBI explained online. “They might also be concerned that their relatives will lose confidence in their abilities to manage their own financial affairs. And when an elderly victim does report a crime, they may be unable to supply detailed information to investigators.”

In its news release about the arrest in the Lynnwood fraud case, the LPD reminds the public law enforcement agencies won’t call seeking money from members of the community. The FBI confirmed that as well in a press statement last June.

“Be advised, federal agencies do not call or e-mail individuals threatening arrest or demanding money,” the release reads. “Scammers often spoof caller ID information, and these phone calls are fraudulent even if they appear to be coming from an agency’s legitimate phone number. Recipients should hang up immediately and report the call.”

While discussing the Lynnwood fraud case, the LPD recommended that if someone identifying as a member of law enforcement asking for money, never reveal any personal information. Instead, those getting those calls should ask the caller for a name, phone number, what agency is being represented and then hang up.

For those who believe they, or someone they know, may have been a victim of elder fraud, the FBI suggests filing a complaint at the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. However, if it is an emergency, community members should not fill out the online form. They should call 911 or their local police department instead.

Steve Coogan is the lead editor of MyNorthwest. You can read more of his stories here. Follow Steve on X, or email him here.