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Florida Woman Extradited Over $52,000 Facebook Scam

Law Enforcement Fighting Online Fraud

News Summary

Demetria Latimer has been extradited to Florida from Michigan, facing charges of scamming an Orange City resident out of $52,000 via a fraudulent Facebook Marketplace listing for a John Deere excavator. After the transaction was flagged by local bank authorities, Volusia County deputies acted quickly to freeze Latimer’s accounts and prevent further withdrawal of the funds. Sheriff Mike Chitwood has linked her to a larger scam network, possibly tied to Dubai, urging residents to stay vigilant against similar online scams.

Florida – Demetria Latimer has been extradited from Michigan to Volusia County, Florida, facing accusations of scamming an Orange City resident out of $52,000 through a fraudulent Facebook Marketplace listing. The alleged scam involved a fake advertisement for a 2019 John Deere excavator, which led the victim to send three checks to a bank account in Michigan controlled by Latimer.

Authorities quickly responded to the situation after a local bank flagged the significant transaction. Volusia County deputies intervened to freeze Latimer’s bank accounts, aiming to prevent any further laundering or movement of the funds before they could be fully withdrawn. Latimer reportedly attempted to disguise her identity while trying to withdraw the funds from a rented office in Michigan, highlighting the lengths she might go to in order to execute her scam.

Sheriff Mike Chitwood called Latimer a “money mule” in what is believed to be a larger scam operation potentially orchestrated by individuals based in Dubai. This indicates that the fraudulent activities may not be isolated incidents, and there could be more victims across the country associated with Latimer’s previous scams.

Details regarding additional victims or other charges against Latimer have not been disclosed, and the investigation remains active as authorities continue to untangle the scope of the operation and identify the masterminds behind it. The swift actions taken by the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office demonstrate their commitment to addressing fraud and protecting local residents from such scams.

Investigation Background

The investigation began after a local bank detected the $52,000 transaction and alerted authorities. Following the initial alert, deputies were quick to act, freezing the associated bank accounts and preventing Latimer from accessing the funds. Sheriff Chitwood has acknowledged the teamwork of his deputies in swiftly tracking down and apprehending Latimer, underscoring the importance of local vigilance against scams.

Ongoing Investigation

The full extent of the fraudulent operation is still under investigation. Law enforcement is exploring connections between Latimer’s actions and a broader network thought to be operating from Dubai. This complexity suggests that Latimer may not be working alone, and other individuals could be involved in perpetuating similar scams nationwide.

Commitment to Combatting Fraud

Sheriff Chitwood has a notable history of personally welcoming extradited scam suspects at the airport, representing a hands-on approach to dealing with fraud crimes. He has issued a caution to potential scammers that Volusia County authorities will pursue anyone who targets its residents relentlessly.

Latimer is currently held in jail in Volusia County, facing charges stemming from her alleged role in the scam, while investigations into her past activities and any additional accomplices continue. Authorities continue to urge vigilance among the public, advising residents to be cautious when engaging in online transactions to avoid falling victim to similar fraud schemes.