22-year-old Frisco woman posed as FBI agent to scam older couple out of life savings, Garland police say
Garland police have arrested a 22-year-old woman accused of exploiting a senior couple and stealing more than $25,000 of their life savings through a phone scam.
On Aug. 6, officers responded to a Chase Bank on the 3200 block of Broadway Boulevard after an 80-year-old man and his 77-year-old wife reported being tricked into withdrawing cash from their account, according to a press release from Garland PD.
How the Garland phone scam unfolded
The victims told investigators they received a call from someone posing as their bank and the FBI.
Over several hours, the caller manipulated them into withdrawing more than $25,000, police said. They were then instructed to hand the money to a woman in a remote parking lot, who falsely identified herself as an FBI agent.
"When I realized they actually met in person, that elevated the whole thing," said Matt Pesta, spokesman for the Garland Police Department. "Now they're meeting a criminal face to face. What if she had wanted more than just to take their money? That kind of elevated things. We needed to get this person off the streets very quickly."
The couple later realized they had been scammed and contacted the police.
22-year-old Frisco woman posed as FBI agent, police say
Detectives identified the suspect as 22-year-old Jessica Bahu of Frisco.
On Aug. 20, Bahu was arrested on a warrant for exploitation of the elderly, a third-degree felony. She was booked into the Garland Detention Center with bond set at $100,000 before later bonding out.
Garland detectives are working with the FBI on possible federal charges. Police believe others may have been involved.
Police offer scam prevention tips
"In a nutshell, if it doesn't feel right, trust your intuition. Trust your gut instincts to not follow through with whatever this person is telling you to do," said Pesta.
To protect yourself or your older loved ones from phone scams, police say:
- Don't trust caller ID—criminals can spoof numbers to make their calls appear legitimate.
- Verify the caller by dialing the organization directly.
- Be wary of anyone asking for cash, gift cards, or wire transfers.
- Slow down and watch for tactics like isolation and urgency, which scammers use to pressure victims.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Garland Police Department at (972) 485-4840.