Elderly Apple Valley Man Falls Victim to Bank Scheme; Deputies Remind Public to Remain Vigilant

APPLE VALLEY, Calif. (VVNG.com) — Sheriff’s officials are reminding the public to stay vigilant after an elderly man fell victim to a bank scheme.

On Friday, January 12, 2024, the 77-year-old victim received a phone call from a subject who informed the victim his bank account had been hacked.

Sheriff’s officials said the scammer directed the elderly victim to withdraw money from his account to keep it safe. The scammer directed the victim to put the money in a box and wrap it with brown paper to be picked up by a courier.

Later that afternoon a subject arrived to pick up the box with the money in it.

On Saturday, January 13, 2024, the same victim again received similar calls and went to his financial institution to withdraw additional money.

According to a sheriff’s news release, “Bank employees realized the victim was being scammed and contacted a family member.”

Deputies were then called to respond to the victim’s residence, on Tehachapi Road in the town of Apple Valley.

“During the investigation, the scammer called the victim’s residence and gave information for the arrival of the courier who was to pick up the additional money,” stated the release.

Deputies waited in the area of the residence for the courier to arrive. Upon arrival of the courier, deputies contacted the suspect identified as 19-year-old Kayvaughn Omaryeades Larry, a resident of Apple Valley. 

Kayvaughn Larry was arrested for PC 32(a), obtaining money by false pretense, and PC 32, accessory to a crime. Larry was transported to High Desert Detention Center for housing, where he is being held in lieu of $15,000 bail. 

Apple Valley Police Department reminds citizens that phone scams are rampant, and everyone must be vigilant.

• Phone scammers are able to obtain billions of dollars each year from victims.
• Always verify any information a caller gives you by hanging up, calling whatever business, agency or institution the caller claims to be with and asking questions.
• Financial institutions will not ask anyone to withdraw money and package it for a courier to pick up.

If you have been a victim of a scam, please report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) uses this information to track scams, alert the public to new scams, and in the event perpetrators are identified, to prosecute.

Anyone with any information about this investigation is asked to contact Deputy Belvin with Apple Valley Sheriff’s Station at (760) 240-7400 or Sheriff’s Dispatch at (760) 956-5001.

Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463) or you may leave the information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.