Goleta, Calif. –  The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office (SBSO) successfully thwarted an elaborate scam operation on August 4, 2025, in the 500 block of Pine Avenue in the city of Goleta, leading to the arrest of a 34-year-old Los Angeles County woman and the full recovery of $30,000 intended for fraudsters. Additionally, SBSO reports two other successful scams on the same day in the 400 block of Kings Way in Goleta ($40,000) and the 600 block of El Rancho in Montecito ($45,000). These incidents highlight the sophisticated tactics used by scammers to exploit vulnerable individuals, and SBSO urges the community to remain vigilant against similar schemes.

On August 4, 2025, a 77-year-old resident in the 500 block of Pine Avenue received a fraudulent call from someone claiming to be from Amazon, alerting her to supposed unauthorized charges on her account and fabricated bank accounts opened in her name. The call was transferred to a purported Federal Trade Commission (FTC) agent, who instructed the victim to withdraw $30,000 in cash from her bank accounts to “resolve” the issues. The scammer coached her on fabricating a story to avoid bank suspicion, remained on the line during the withdrawals at two Bank of America branches, and demanded photos of the cash, receipts, herself, and a sealed box containing the money.

Growing suspicious after noticing misspellings in an email from the “agent,” the victim contacted SBSO while the scammer was still on the call. Deputies and detectives coordinated with the victim, who agreed to assist in apprehending the suspect. A female suspect, later identified as Caihong Lei, was observed lingering near the residence before retrieving the box. She was apprehended by deputies and detectives as she walked toward her unoccupied Mercedes SUV. SBSO assisted the victim with returning the $30,000 to her bank account.

Lei was booked into Santa Barbara County Jail on charges related to grand theft by false pretense and conspiracy to commit fraud. A judge authorized a $500,000 bail enhancement due to the severity of the crime. The Criminal Investigations Division (CID) is pursuing further leads, including potential connections to organized scam networks.

The additional scams in Goleta and Montecito involved similar tactics, with victims coerced into withdrawing large sums of money under false pretenses. Investigations into these incidents are ongoing, and SBSO is working to identify and apprehend those responsible.

Sheriff Bill Brown stated, “These cases demonstrate the critical importance of community awareness and quick action in combating these heartless scams. Our deputies’ swift response in the Pine Avenue case protected this resident and prevented further victimization, but the additional scams underscore the urgent need for vigilance.”

Scam Prevention Tips from SBSO:

• Verify Claims Independently: Never act on unsolicited calls about account issues. Hang up and contact the company or agency directly using official numbers from their website.
• Be Wary of Urgent Demands: Scammers create pressure to withdraw or send money quickly. Legitimate organizations like Amazon or the FTC do not request cash withdrawals or personal photos.
• Protect Personal Information: Avoid sharing bank details, photos, or passwords over the phone or email. Report suspicious activity to your bank immediately.
• Recognize Red Flags: Poor grammar, misspellings, or requests for unusual actions (like fabricating stories) are common scam indicators.
• Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect a scam, contact SBSO at (805) 683-2724. For emergencies, dial 911 or text 911 if unable to call.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is committed to protecting our community from fraud and encourages residents to educate themselves and loved ones about these evolving threats. For more information, visit www.sbsheriff.org or follow us on social media.