A New York “scumbag scam artist” swindled an elderly Florida woman out of her life savings as part of a heartless lottery scheme, police said on Wednesday.
Shania Baptiste, 25, and two others are accused of tricking an 85-year-old from Daytona Beach Shores into thinking she won $1 million through the prestigious Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes, WFTV 9 reported.
The cruel culprits allegedly told the senior citizen that she had to pay taxes and fees up front to redeem the prize back in June.
Mike Chitwood/X
The elder twice tried to wire Baptiste $20,000.
Initially, bank tellers warned her that wiring money for that reason was a scam so the suspects allegedly convinced the senior citizen to go to a different bank under the guise that she was sending the funds to her family in New York for home repairs, the outlet reported.
The suspects stole over $35,000, according to Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood.
Baptiste, who is from Brooklyn, was extradited to Daytona Beach Airport on Feb 19, where Sheriff Chitwood delivered a harsh message to the alleged crook’s face.
“Shania, I am Sheriff Chitwood, and I want to let you know that we protect our seniors in this community,” Chitwood said in a video posted on X. “That’s why you’re here. I hope and pray there’s a special place in hell for you and Nielson Brooks for what you did to an 85-year-old woman and stealing her life’s savings. And I hope you enjoy your stay here. Welcome to Florida.”
Mike Chitwood/X
Baptiste insisted that she was innocent.
“I’m sorry for the crime that was committed but it was not me,” Baptiste responded.
Chitwood credited the NYPD financial crimes unit for helping locate and transfer the alleged scammer.
Baptiste’s alleged accomplice Neilson Brooks was booked into Volusia County jail on Feb. 15.
He posted a bond and was able to leave nearly three hours later, jail records show.
Baptiste and Brooks face charges of Organized Scheme to Defraud and Grand Theft over $20,000.
“If we track you down in the continental united states, your a– is coming back here and let everybody see what a scumbag you really are and the way you’re dealing with the elderly in our communities,” Chitwood added.
The sheriff’s office recovered $20,000 to give back to the victim.
The rest of the money isn’t expected to be paid back until after the case goes through the judicial process.
But Chitwood warned that the victim may never see the rest of the money again.
