Elder Fraud Unit arrests romance scammer who stole $100K from Bradenton widower

Nov 14

November 14, 2024

Case #:2024-004910

A five-month-long investigation by the Bradenton Police Department Elder Fraud Unit resulted in the arrest of a Minnesota man on a charge of grand theft.

Benjamin Yakah, 26, is accused of stealing more than $100,000 from a Bradenton widower in an internet romance scam.

The 77-year-old victim met a woman named "Julia" on Facebook in late 2023. Over eight months, the victim communicated with "Julia" using Facebook Messenger. He became convinced that "Julia" lived in the United Kingdom and was moving to the United States to begin a relationship with him. "Julia" claimed she owed money to a man in Minnesota and would relocate to Florida after paying the debt. To help expedite her relocation, the victim sent cash, money orders, and cashier checks to a home and a bank in Minneapolis.

The victims' children learned of the alleged relationship with “Julia” in June 2024 and contacted the Elder Fraud Unit. Detectives determined that photos of "Julia" were taken from the Facebook account of a West Virginia woman without her knowledge. The investigation also revealed that Benjamin Yakah owned the bank account that received the victim's money.

Elder Fraud Detective Jim Curulla traveled to Minnesota and arrested Yakah with the assistance of the Bloomington, MN, Police Department. A subsequent search of Yakah's home indicated there were additional victims in other states.

Yakah is awaiting extradition to Manatee County.

For information on the Bradenton Police Department Elder Fraud Unit, as well as resources to protect yourself against common scams, visit Bradentonpd.com/Elder-Fraud-Unit