Bradenton Woman Charged in Phone Scam That Netted More Than $47,000
A Bradenton woman is facing felony charges after investigators say she played a role in a phone scam that resulted in a $47,200 financial loss for a victim.
According to detectives with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, Jinny Luanda Charles, 32, was charged with grand theft and money laundering after allegedly receiving a $47,200 wire transfer into her Chase bank account. Investigators say the funds were sent by a man who had been targeted through a phone scam.
Authorities report that the victim was contacted by someone posing as a representative from a financial institution and was persuaded to wire money under false pretenses. The transfer was later traced to Charles’ account, prompting an investigation by sheriff’s detectives.
Investigators allege that Charles knowingly accepted the funds and participated in moving or using them after they were deposited. She was arrested and booked into the Manatee County jail on the felony charges.
The investigation remains ongoing as detectives work to determine whether additional individuals were involved and whether there are other potential victims connected to the scheme.
Law enforcement officials continue to urge residents to be cautious of unsolicited phone calls requesting financial information or immediate payment, noting that scammers frequently impersonate banks or government agencies to gain victims’ trust.