What happened: Two alleged scammers posing as bank employees tried to steal thousands from a veteran PBSO detective — but he turned the tables and helped get them arrested.
Background: The scamming duo is accused of posing as bank employees and trying to steal thousands of dollars, but they got a surprise when their supposed VIC turned out to be a Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office detective. 20-year-old Levi Cantarero of Fort Pierce and 31-year-old Shawn Hamilton of Port St.
Lucie were taken into custody Tuesday after allegedly trying to convince the detective to withdraw thousands of dollars from his checking account as part of a fraudulent banking scheme, PBSO said. Instead of falling for the scam, the detective recognized what was happening and worked with fellow detectives to turn the tables on the suspects.
Investigators continued communicating with the men as part of an ongoing investigation. The suspects allegedly instructed the detective to arrange for an Uber courier to transport a package containing what they believed was the VIC's money to Broward County.
Lucie man accused of trying to extort State Rep. Meg Weinberger Once the driver arrived, the package was placed beneath a parked vehicle, according to PBSO.
But when Cantarero and Hamilton showed up to retrieve the package, detectives conducting surveillance nearby moved in and took both suspects into custody.
The available details are limited to the information verified at publication time. Readers should expect updates as the matter develops.
Any person identified in connection with an alleged offense is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Source: official sources including CBS12 News.
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