The 22-year-old faces a felony charge, according to Garland police.
By Lilly Kersh
Dallas Morning News
https://www.dallasnews.com/
Illustration by Michael Hogue
A 22-year-old Frisco woman was arrested this week for allegedly scamming an 80-year-old man and his 77-year-old wife of $25,000, Garland police said.
Jessica Bahu falsely identified herself as with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to manipulate the couple, police said in a news release. She has been arrested for exploitation of the elderly, a third-degree felony, and Garland detectives are currently working with the FBI on possible federal charges.
Bahu was booked into the Garland Detention Center Wednesday and later bonded out on a $100,000 bond, according to the release.
The investigation is ongoing, police said, and investigators believe other individuals may have been involved.
Garland police recommend taking steps to protect yourself from scams and warn that older adults are more often targets.
Verify who is calling and beware of requests to withdraw cash or pay with gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrencies. Caller ID can be falsified to appear legitimate. Call an organization directly — never use a number the caller provides.
Slow down and don’t fall victim to urgency or isolation tactics, Garland police warn — report suspicious calls to local police.
By Lilly Kersh
Lilly Kersh is a general assignment reporter at The Dallas Morning News covering McKinney and Plano in Collin County. She graduated in 2024 from the University of Georgia with a degree in journalism and was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia.
This story, originally published in The Dallas Morning News, is reprinted as part of a collaborative partnership between The Dallas Morning News and Texas Metro News. The partnership seeks to boost coverage of Dallas’ communities of color, particularly in southern Dallas.
