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Deputies: Scammer convinces local woman to send him more than $7K

Deputies: Man convinces local woman to send him more than $7K
Posted at 3:24 PM, Dec 11, 2018
and last updated 2018-12-11 12:29:13-05

MADISON COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - A man has been arrested after he convinced a Madison County woman over the phone to send him more than $7,000 in cash. 

John Boyce, 51, was arrested by the Lauderhill Police Department on Monday. 

On Nov. 30, deputies were called to a home in Lee in response to a money scam. 

When deputies arrived on scene they spoke with the victim who said she was contacted by phone by Boyce, who identified himself under the alias David Freeman, and convinced the victim that she won a large amount of money. 

The victim told deputies that in order to claim the money, she would be required to send payment for fees associated with the winnings.  

Boyce told the victim to hide $1,500 in cash within the pages of a magazine, seal the magazine with tape, and use FedEx to mail it to him.  

The victim said she did as instructed but was soon contacted by Boyce again, telling her to send an additional $6,000 in cash. 

The victim followed the instructions and mailed the money before the victim’s family encouraged her to contact law enforcement. 

MCSO investigators were able to successfully identify John Boyce of Lauderhill, Florida as the individual who placed the phone calls and identified himself as David Freeman.  

Investigators discovered that Boyce is currently on Florida Department of Corrections Community Control in Broward County.  

Based on the evidence, Boyce is being charged with communications fraud and grand theft.