A 64-year-old Texas man is in jail in Rapides Parish, accused of scamming a victim out of over $60,000 throughout the course of several months. The scammer convinced the victim they would be given a million dollars, but needed assistance paying US taxes and fees from Nigeria. Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Capt. Tommy Carnline said the scammer claimed to be a retired FBI agent.
“That kind of won the victim’s trust. Over the course of time, the victim was scammed out of over $60,000, which is so unfortunate,” said Carnline.
Detectives say they had a break in the case when one of the persons that was wired money was identified as Scott Alan Romans. A warrant was entered into a national database, and he was arrested following a traffic stop in Gulfport. Carnline said an arrest in a case like this is highly unusual because scammers cover their tracks so well.
“Using different phone numbers and usually having people go and get some sort of preloaded credit card, where they give them the number off the credit card and they are able to withdraw the money off that credit card immediately,” said Carnline.
Carnline said in most situations, the money is gone and there is no way to get it back to the victim.
“Even if he’s convicted, and part of the conviction is him paying back money, that is usually something that is very hard to do,” said Carnline.
Romans remains incarcerated. His bond is $20,000.
