NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. — Nassau County Sheriff’s Office deputies intervened in a scam Thursday, preventing a local resident from losing $14,000.
The incident began when the victim’s wife called the sheriff’s office with concerns about a phone conversation her husband was having. Deputies located the man in a Lowe’s parking lot on SR 200, where a caller was instructing him to purchase $14,000 worth of gift cards within 2 hours or face having his account hacked.
Deputies reached the man before he provided any payment to the caller and helped him recognize that he was being targeted by a scam.
Watch video of the incident below:
Fraud cases reported to the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office, the majority of which involve scams, have increased by approximately 80% since 2021.
The sheriff’s office said deputies investigated or responded to 126 fraud cases in 2021, compared to 227 cases in 2025. So far in 2026, the sheriff’s office has responded to at least 174 fraud cases.
The sheriff’s office highlighted several common red flags associated with scams, including pressure to act within a specific time frame, threats of arrest, fines or account suspension and demands for personal or financial information. Scammers also frequently request payment through unconventional methods such as gift cards, cryptocurrency or Cash App.
Officials advise residents to stop and verify any suspicious requests before providing money or personal details.
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