GRANT COUNTY, IN- The Grant County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division has completed an investigation after a local resident was defrauded out of $2,000 through an online scam.
The case began on September 17, 2024, when the victim reported being contacted on Facebook by someone posing as a trusted acquaintance. The impersonator claimed they could help the victim quickly grow their money through a special investment opportunity. Believing the offer was legitimate, the victim sent payments through PayPal and Apple gift cards. Once the payments were made, communication ceased.
Through a detailed investigation, detectives tracked the victim’s payments and discovered that the funds were sent to Angel Roberts, of Princess Anne, Maryland, who collected the money, converted it into Bitcoin, and then transferred the cryptocurrency where it went to Eniola Faruq Abolanle in Lagos, Nigeria.
As a result, formal charges have been filed and warrants have been issued for Angel Roberts (Money Laundering, Level 6 Felony) and Eniola Faruq Abolanle (Fraud, Level 6 Felony).
“This case shows how scammers use social media to prey on individuals’ trust and steal their money,” said Sheriff Del Garcia. “Thanks to the hard work of our investigators and the strong partnerships with other agencies, we were able to follow the money trail and hold those responsible accountable.”
The Grant County Sheriff’s Office extends its thanks to the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office (Maryland) for their assistance and the Grant County Prosecutor’s Office for their continued support in the fight against fraud.
Anyone who believes they may have been targeted by a similar scam is encouraged to contact the Grant County Sheriff’s Office at (765) 668-8168.
