ORLANDO, Fla. – A Central Florida bank teller is being credited with stopping a fraud scheme that nearly cost a 71-year-old man tens of thousands of dollars.
Orlando police said officers were called Monday morning to the SouthState Bank branch on South Orange Avenue after an employee suspected a man was trying to cash a fraudulent check.
Investigators said 51-year-old Juan Viera-Castro attempted to cash a nearly $25,000 check, claiming the money was for construction work he had completed. The bank teller became suspicious and contacted police.
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According to the arrest report, police reached the elderly account holder by phone. The man told investigators he believed he had been contacted by the Federal Trade Commission and was instructed to issue two checks just under $25,000 each.
Attorney and legal analyst David Haas said the quick action by the teller likely saved the victim from a serious financial loss.
“That branch manager is going to be pretty happy with their teller,” Haas said. “Bank tellers are trained on identifying fraud and suspected activity.”
Haas noted that state law includes added protections for victims 65 and older.
“The elderly are obviously more susceptible, which is why you see the laws for protection of individuals over 65 years old,” Haas said. “There are enhancements the state will seek in this type of case.”
Police said Viera-Castro was arrested and faces charges of felony theft from a person 65 or older. Jail records show he has since bonded out.
News 6 reached out to the 71-year-old victim by phone and text message but has not received a response.