BRADENTON, Fla. — Police in Bradenton arrested a man accused of taking advantage of a 77-year-old widower, scamming the man out of more than $100,000.
In what police are calling an "internet romance scam," 26-year-old Benjamin Yakah allegedly posed as a woman named Julia on Facebook. Late last year, this so-called Julia met the 77-year-old victim on the social media platform, and they began chatting via Facebook Messenger.
"He became convinced that 'Julia' lived in the United Kingdom and was moving to the United States to begin a relationship with him," the Bradenton Police Department explained.
The scammer allegedly told the victim that they owed money to a man in Minnesota, and would relocate to Florida once the debt was paid. That's when the 77-year-old started sending cash, money orders and cashier checks to a home and bank in Minneapolis to help "Julia" pay the debt and make the move.
This supposed "relationship" lasted for 8 months.
Eventually, the widower's children learned of this "Julia" person back in June and reported it to the Bradenton Police Department's Elder Fraud Unit. Through their investigation, detectives were able to determine that the photos "Julia" was using were actually of a West Virginia woman. Police say those photos were being used without her knowledge.
Investigators say they then traced the bank account that received the victim's money to Yakah. A detective with the Bradenton Police Department traveled to Minnesota, and in collaboration with local authorities, Yakah was arrested.
Police say that further investigation revealed that Yakah scammed even more victims in other states. He is currently waiting to be extradited to Manatee County.
If you or someone you know may be involved in an online romance scam, you're urged to contact the Bradenton Police Department's Elder Fraud Unit at this website.
