FROM STAFF REPORTS

A phone call from a suspicious resident led to the arrest of a Georgia man on fraud and drug charges following an investigation by the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest of Bin Zhu, 62, of Sandy Springs, Ga., in a news release Wednesday. 

ICSO deputies were notified on Tuesday about a possible scammer going to a home on Hazel Lane in Troutman.

Deputies were told that the possible scammer was a man identifying himself as an FBI agent. The man would contact elderly people and tell them their bank accounts had been compromised and they needed to withdraw all the money and turn it over to the FBI. Then someone would show up at their home claiming to be the FBI agent and retrieve the cash.

Deputies quickly made contact with the homeowner, who said the scammer was supposed to be arriving shortly. Since there was no description of the scammer or the scammer’s vehicle, ICSO personnel remained nearby and set up surveillance of the residence, Campbell said.

Once Zhu approached the home and made contact with the victim, deputies took him into custody.

Zhu admitted that he was there to pick up the money and that he had illegal narcotics in his vehicle, according to the news release.

Deputies searched the vehicle and located $3,890 in cash, along with multiple vials of cocaine and ecstasy, Campbell said. The vehicle and contents were seized.

Zhu was transported to the Iredell County Detention Center. He was brought before Magistrate Imes and issued No Bond on the following charges: Felony Obtaining Property by False Pretense, Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Cocaine, Felony Possession of Cocaine, Felony Possession of Schedule I Controlled Substance, Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver MDA/MDMA, Felony Maintain a Vehicle for a Controlled Substance, and Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

“The victim did the right thing by calling law enforcement when she felt that something was not right. Sheriff’s deputies were able to act quickly to gather information, set up surveillance, and make an impactful arrest of a scammer that was attempting to victimize our citizens,” Campbell said. “We encourage anyone that has an uneasy feeling to always reach out. We are here for you! You no longer have to pick up the phone and make a call to submit tips, you can effortlessly do this on the Iredell Sheriff App in seconds.”