One phone call was all it took to jeopardize an elderly Florida man’s financial security. Police in Pembroke Pines say the man was the victim of a brazen scam that drained $55,000 from his bank — the latest in a heartbreaking wave of scams targeting vulnerable older adults.
Police say Terol Castel Lyn, posing as a Wells Fargo bank employee, contacted the victim and told him his account was part of an active criminal investigation. But instead of advising the victim to freeze his funds or visit a branch, Lyn instructed him to withdraw the money and meet Lyn to hand over the cash. Over two days in April, that’s exactly what the victim did, and Lyn allegedly wasn’t finished: Police say he warned the man the FBI would be contacting him for additional payments.
The victim’s son grew suspicious when he learned about the unusual bank withdrawals and reported it to local authorities. Working with the Pembroke Pines Police Department, they quickly set up a sting operation.
When Lyn showed up to collect an additional payment, police moved in for an arrest. Lyn fled but was later caught in Fort Lauderdale. He faces charges of felony larceny on a victim 65 years of age or older, felony fraud and other charges, and police are exploring whether the scheme may have targeted additional victims.
Police are now urging families in the area to closely monitor the bank accounts of elderly relatives and to be vigilant for similar scam attempts.
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Scams target the vulnerable
The Florida case is far from isolated. Scams targeting seniors are surging.
Americans over the age of 60 reported approximately $4.8 billion in financial losses to internet-related crimes in 2024 — a sharp increase from previous years, with both the number of complaints and total losses for this age group rising by more than 40% from 2023, according to the FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report.
Impersonation scams, where criminals pose as trusted institutions like government agencies, banks or law enforcement, were among the most common tactics, the report found. And the true numbers could be even higher: The FBI says many seniors are too embarrassed or confused to report scams once they’ve fallen victim.
Scammers know exactly how to manipulate their targets. They exploit trust, fear, and urgency and they often strike when victims are most vulnerable or isolated.
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How to spot a scam and protect your loved ones
Stopping scams like this starts with education and vigilance. Here’s what you — and your elderly loved ones — need to know to stay protected:
**Watch out for requests for cash: **No legitimate bank or FBI agent will ever ask a citizen to withdraw cash and hand it over in person. If you get a call like this, it’s a scam. Hang up immediately.
Verify before you act: If you get a suspicious call, don’t act on it right away. Look up the official phone number of the bank or agency and call them yourself to verify. Never trust caller ID, since scammers can spoof phone numbers to look legitimate.
Beware of pressure tactics: Fraudsters often create fake emergencies. If someone says you must act "right now," slow down. Pressure to act fast is a huge red flag.
**Set up account alerts: **Banks offer free tools to monitor accounts for unusual transactions. Set up text or email alerts for all major withdrawals or charges over a certain amount.
**Talk to your family: **Have regular conversations with older family members about common scams. Make sure they know it’s okay to call you before taking action on anything suspicious.
**Help older adults with technology: **Teach elderly loved ones how to block unknown callers on their cell phones and report spam calls. Some apps even screen calls automatically to prevent scam attempts.
If you suspect fraud, contact your local police department and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
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