HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) says it has recovered more than $200,000 in two unrelated fraud cases.
Treasury Scam
Detectives began investigating a fraud report on March 25, 2025, involving $54,000.
The victim had been contacted by someone posing as a representative from the U.S. Department of Treasury.
The scammer convinced the victim to send a $50,000 cashier’s check and $4,000 in gift cards.
Investigators traced the funds to a business called A+B Wireless Sales.
Detectives were able to locate the account where the funds had been deposited, seize the money, and return the full $54,000 to the victim.
Romance Scam
On April 25, 2025, HCSO detectives opened a case after a victim reported losing $254,000 in a romance scam that began in November 2024.
The scammer met the victim through a dating app and built a fake relationship, promising marriage and a move to Florida.
The victim sent money through Bitcoin, bank transfers, cashier’s checks, and gift cards.
The scammer also deposited $700,000, likely from other victims, into a joint account to build trust.
The victim later sold his home, quit his job, and added more money to the account.
At the airport, expecting to fly to Florida, he discovered there was no ticket and his accounts were empty.
The scammer continued to contact him, claiming the issue was a “mix-up.”
Detectives eventually located and seized $150,987.69 from one of the scammer’s accounts.
That money will be returned to the victim.
After the seizure, the scammer even contacted detectives demanding the money be returned.
“While these investigations continue, it is important to remember our citizens work hard for their money, and despite our ongoing efforts to educate the public about scams targeting our county, too many people continue to fall victim—often to criminals operating outside the United States. These scams typically occur by phone, text message, email, or online apps.
The HCSO, nor any constitutional office in Hamilton County, will ever call you demanding money or gift cards. We will not threaten or pressure you for payment—that is not how your Sheriff’s Office or County Government operates. If you receive such a call, hang up immediately. Honest, hardworking citizens fear getting arrested while criminals do not. Scammers use this fear to intimidate people, especially our elderly, into giving money under false pretenses.
Remember: Tennessee does not have toll roads, warrants cannot be canceled or removed with gift cards, nor will the HCSO or any government agency solicit payments from you in bitcoin, green dot cards, or other financial means for services.
I am grateful for the hard work and dedication of my detectives who remain committed to holding accountable those who victimize our residents and threaten the safety of our community. These two incidents demonstrate that their efforts are producing results.”
-Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett
