The Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office urges vigilance after a Texas man was arrested for allegedly scamming $3,600 by posing as a bank representative.
PLAQUEMINES PARISH, La. — The Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office is warning residents to be on alert for scams after a Texas man was arrested in connection with a fraud case.
Detectives say 25-year-old Christian Gauthier scammed a victim in Oakville out of $3,600 last May.
Gauthier reportedly posed as a bank representative via text and phone, requesting account information to “investigate” a fraudulent charge. Deputies traced the calls to Houston, where he was arrested and transported to the Plaquemines Parish detention center.
“Unfortunately, scams have become a daily occurrence, so we must remain vigilant to recognize the signs of these scams before we are victimized,” said Sheriff Turlich. “Our deputies and detectives have done an amazing job investigating and catching these scammers, but we are not finished yet. These scammers are located all around the country and we will continue to use all available resources to bring these criminals to justice.”
To protect yourself, never give out personal information, avoid paying over the phone — even if the caller claims to be from a bank or the sheriff’s office.
If you believe you’ve been contacted by a scammer, call your local sheriff’s office or 911 to file a report.