(KRON) — Two Sacramento women were arrested for alleged elder fraud after investigators were able to tie together two scam cases that occurred months apart but carried the same blueprint, said the Marin County Sheriff’s Office.
According to deputies, in the separate incidents on Nov. 22, 2024, and July 8, the two victims — an 89-year-old and 95-year-old — both of Marin County, were duped out of a total of $35,000 in cash.
“The victim reported they were contacted via telephone about a loved one who had recently been booked into jail on a felony DUI charge that resulted in injury to a pregnant woman,” said MCSO. “The caller was requesting cash to assist the loved one in bailing out of custody. The victim ultimately provided $19,000 in cash to a courier who arrived at the victim’s residence. The victim later learned their loved one had never been arrested or booked into jail.”
Detectives said they developed probable cause to arrest Belkis Gutierrez, 35, and Heydi Flores-Arias, 32. Both are being held without bail at Marin County Jail where they face several charges, including theft, elder abuse, and conspiracy related charges.
Cash was seized from their residence. Investigators are working to identify where the money came from and to locate more victims, according to MCSO.
“The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind citizens of Marin County never to deliver cash to people willing to arrive at your residence,” said officials in a safety reminder on social media. “If someone calls about a loved one in jail, confirm with the facility that the person is in fact in custody. Additionally, no financial institution will ever send a courier to your residence to pick up cash. These are fraudulent cases and are becoming increasingly common in Marin County.
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