Man sentenced for $500K scam targeting Sandy Springs elderly resident
Javed Ashid was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison after scamming an elderly Sandy Springs resident out of approximately $500,000 in an imposter scheme. (Credit: Sandy Springs Police Department)
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. – A man has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison after defrauding an elderly Sandy Springs resident out of approximately $500,000 in an imposter scheme, police announced.
What we know:
The scheme began on July 19, 2024, when an elderly victim received a fraudulent Microsoft pop-up notification warning that their identity and financial accounts were at risk, according to police.
Javed Ashid posed as a representative of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and convinced the victim that their life savings were in jeopardy and needed protection. Police said that over the course of the fraud, Ashid arranged approximately 10 separate meetings with the victim, collecting large amounts of cash during each encounter.
In an apparent effort to evade detection, Ashid used multiple vehicles when meeting the victim, the department said.
Sandy Springs police utilized Automated License Plate Readers to identify the vehicles linked to Ashid and develop critical leads.
Authorities later arrested Ashid in Columbia County, Georgia, while he was traveling to meet with another victim. On Oct. 6, Ashid was sentenced in federal court to 14 years in prison for his involvement in the fraudulent schemes.
What they’re saying:
Sandy Springs police highlighted the severe harm these types of operations inflict on older residents.
“This case serves as an important reminder of the devastating financial and emotional impact scams can have, particularly on elderly and vulnerable members of our community,” the department said in a case update. “The Sandy Springs Police Department remains committed to protecting our residents, thoroughly investigating financial crimes, and working alongside our law enforcement partners to ensure those responsible are held accountable.”
What we don’t know:
Police did not release the victim’s name, exact age, or gender, identifying them only as an elderly resident.
The department did not state whether any of the stolen $500,000 was recovered or if Ashid was ordered to pay restitution.
The Source: Information in this article was gathered from an official case update and statement released by the Sandy Springs Police Department.
