BRADENTON, Fla. (WFLA) — A Minnesota man was arrested and charged with grand theft after a five-month-long investigation by the Bradenton Police Department Elder Fraud Unit.
Benjamin Yakah, 26, is accused of stealing more than $100,000 from a Bradenton widower in an internet romance scam, according to BPD.
The Bradenton widower, a 77-year-old, met a woman named “Julia” on Facebook in late 2023, according to BPD.
For eight months, the victim messaged “Julia” using Facebook Messenger, and was convinced that “Julia” was a woman who lived in the United Kingdom and was moving to the United States to begin a relationship with him.
According to BPD, “Julia” told the victim she owed money to a man in Minnesota and would relocate to Florida after the debts were paid. To help speed the process of “Julia” moving, the victim sent cash, money orders, and cashier checks to a home and bank in Minneapolis.
In June of 2024, the victim’s family became aware of the alleged relationship and contacted the Elder Fraud Unit.
Detectives learned the photos of “Julia” were taken from a Facebook of a West Virginia woman without her knowledge, according to BPD.
Through the investigation, detectives also learned the bank account that received all of the victim’s money was owned by Benjamin Yakah.
Detective Jim Curulla with the Elder Fraud Unit traveled to Minnesota and arrested Yakah with the assistance of the Bloomington Minnesota Police Department.
Bradenton Police Department said a search was done of Yakah’s home and it indicated there were additional victims in other states.
Yakah will be extradited to Manatee County. This investigation is still ongoing.
