You’d think if someone stole thousands of dollars from an elderly man, the last thing they’d do is brag about it online. But in this case? The alleged scammer basically turned Instagram into his own evidence locker.
A 22-year-old Florida man, Omari Burke, has been arrested after scamming a 74-year-old Alabama resident out of more than $20,000 through a fake Wells Fargo “fraud department” phone call. Detectives say Burke not only pocketed the stolen cash, but later flaunted it on social media—posing with envelopes of money while sitting in a BMW.
Here’s how the scam worked:
- The victim got a call from someone pretending to be with Wells Fargo’s fraud team.
- The caller warned of a suspicious withdrawal and urged him to “verify” his accounts.
- The victim was told to withdraw cash and mail it via FedEx to Florida addresses.
- Burke allegedly collected the packages and bragged online about the haul.
This scam primarily targets senior citizens, who are often more trusting of authority figures and less familiar with modern fraud tactics. The 74-year-old victim explained: “They had me running all over town… I was panicked, I guess. They sent me messages that looked authentic from Wells Fargo, the whole nine yards.” Sadly, the ordeal drained his savings.
Why should you care?
Beyond the heartbreaking loss for victims, these scams expose how easily fear and urgency can override logic. Once that money leaves your hands—especially if shipped in cash—it’s nearly impossible to recover. And if criminals like Burke are boasting on social media, you can bet they’re not acting alone. Authorities believe other victims may already be out there.
Here’s how to protect yourself:
- Hang up immediately if someone claiming to be your bank asks you to withdraw or mail cash.
- Verify with your bank directly by calling the number on the back of your card—not the one provided in the suspicious call.
- Never share account balances or passwords over the phone unless you initiated the call.
- Ignore caller ID alone—scammers can spoof numbers to look official.
- Report fraud attempts quickly to your bank and local authorities.
Quick Tip: Did you know? Banks will never ask you to physically mail cash or transfer money to “protect” your account.
Stay safe, stay informed, and remember: if a “bank” asks you to FedEx your life savings, the only thing you should be mailing is a complaint report.
Keywords & Definitions
- Phone Scam: A fraud tactic where criminals trick victims over the phone into giving away money or sensitive information.
- Caller ID Spoofing: When scammers disguise their real phone number to make it look like they’re calling from a trusted source (like a bank).
- Money Laundering: The process of making illegally obtained money look legitimate by moving it through different accounts or businesses.
- Fraudulent Activity: Any deceptive act carried out for personal or financial gain.
- Senior Citizen Scam: A fraud scheme specifically targeting older adults, often exploiting trust or lack of tech familiarity.
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