It takes a special kind of heartlessness to prey on an innocent grandma and steal her life savings. However, that’s exactly what New York scam artist Shania Baptiste did to an 85-year-old woman in Florida. 25-year-old Baptiste swindled $35K from the elderly lady by stating the victim had won $1 million but had to pay fees and taxes before receiving the prize, according to WFTV 9. The 85-year-old’s bank advised her not to listen to the scammer after she attempted to wire $20K twice to the New York criminal.
Unfortunately, rational financial judgment was not one of the victim’s strong suits. Working reportedly with two other accomplices, Baptiste told the Florida woman to use a different bank and claim she was sending money for a relative’s home repair in New York. The scammer’s plan went through, and it was too late before the elderly woman realized she had $35K stolen from her. Luckily, police tracked the funds to Baptiste’s frozen account, after which she was promptly arrested and extradited to Florida.
The scam artist received a warm welcome from the Sheriff of Volusia County, Mike Chitwood, who posted his interaction with Baptiste at the airport to X. “I want to let you know that we protect our seniors in this community,” he told the scammer, who had the gall to claim she was innocent.
“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.”
Needless to say, the internet was very satisfied with Chitwood’s words for the heartless “Scumbag Scammer.” A grateful X user wrote, “She hasn’t got a speck of shame or decency. Keep her locked up. Thank you, sheriff, for protecting the vulnerable 🙏” “Ya love to see it. Great work!” exclaimed another. Dozens of others reacted to the post, praising the sheriff and all those involved for catching such evil fraudsters who prey on the elderly.
Some who reacted to this news story discussed how Baptiste and others like her should be brought to justice. “It’s high time we brought back public humiliation as a criminal punishment,” one commenter remarked. “Put scammers who get convicted into the stocks so people can hurl rotten produce and jeer at them all day, every day, until their sentences are served.” Hundreds of others upvoted in agreement. “This ilk doesn’t have the sense, or humanity to be humiliated,” read a reply. And they would be right, judging by the scammer’s cold and stone-faced reaction to Sheriff Chitwood’s welcome.
