NORFOLK, Va. — Federal agents arrested 10 people on fraud and conspiracy charges for allegedly running a scam ring that specifically targeted military service members. Prosecutors said they believe this scam went on for years.
The scam itself is simple. According to court documents, a group of people would go to local grocery stores or gas stations and pretend not to have a cellphone. They would approach those walking out and ask would-be victims if they had a phone and if they had an account with Navy Federal Credit Union.
Prosecutors said these scammers would then ask for the phone, pleading that they were in a financial emergency and were locked out of their own account. If the victim agreed, prosecutors said the scammers would instead log into the victim's account and take out loans