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AUGUSTA, Ga. () – Authorities have apprehended a woman linked to a telephone swindle investigation in Richmond County, as announced by the Sheriff’s Office on Friday.
Deputies revealed that 31-year-old Shalieva Breann Hennings has been taken into custody on charges of Felony Theft by Deception. She is now held at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center.
According to RCSO, the investigation dates back to January 17, when officials began probing a series of phone scams. These scams involved individuals impersonating law enforcement officers, court staff, and representatives of bonding companies.
“In this instance, a Richmond County resident received a call from an individual falsely claiming to represent a Sheriff’s Office in Georgia,” a statement from the RCSO explains. “The caller informed the victim that a family member was in jail and that bail could be settled via Cash App. This demand was a scam.”
Following the investigation, deputies were able to apprehend Hennings.
Residents who believe they might have been targeted or victimized by a scam are encouraged to contact Sgt. Sean Cochran with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division at (706) 821-1020.
RCSO is providing the following tips to the community to avoid scams:
- The Sheriff’s Office will never contact individuals regarding bond payments for family members or missed court appearances.
- The Sheriff’s Office will never request money over the phone.
- Legitimate agencies will not ask for payments through Cash App, Venmo, PayPal, or similar platforms.