An Orlando man was arrested last week in connection with a fraud scheme targeting an elderly New Smyrna Beach resident, police announced. 27-year-old Marcus Ristie is accused of posing as the victim’s son to convince her to send money.
According to the New Smyrna Beach Police Department, Ristie contacted the victim saying he was her son and was in a ‘serious traffic crash that resulted in a death’. Ristie allegedly told the victim he needed her to send $9,800 so he could get out of jail.
The calls continued, but the stories were said to have changed. Ristie later reportedly claimed to be an attorney, someone representing a pretrial intervention program, and more. On the latter of those calls, Ristie was said to have given instructions for withdrawing money and preparing for it to be picked up from the victim’s home…