Georgia Woman Accused in Multi-State Bitcoin Scam Arrested, Linked to Georgia State Prison Fraud Ring
GEORGIA — A woman from Morven, Georgia, has been arrested and extradited to Volusia County, Florida, in connection with a $17,000 Bitcoin fraud scheme that targeted a Daytona Beach resident. Authorities say the case is part of a broader inmate-run scam network involving individuals outside of prison acting on behalf of incarcerated ringleaders.
The suspect, Christina Rimes, was apprehended after investigators traced digital payment records and bank transactions linked to the victim’s loss.
Scam Began With Phony Warrant Threat
According to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office, the scam began when the victim was told he had a federal warrant out for his arrest from a sheriff’s office in North Carolina. In fear, the victim complied with instructions to send $17,000 in Bitcoin to clear the fictitious charges.
Financial crimes detectives eventually tracked the funds to Rimes, who was located in Georgia. She was later taken into custody and transported to Florida to face formal fraud charges.
Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood publicly confirmed the arrest and posted video footage of Rimes in custody, noting that such organized scams “can’t be allowed to continue.”
Georgia State Prison Connection Revealed
Detectives say the scam is part of a larger pattern involving inmates inside Georgia State Prison. These inmates are reportedly using people outside prison to commit fraud, then funneling the stolen funds into commissary accounts or other inmate-linked operations.
Investigators also revealed that Rimes has a tattoo on her chest of a man who is currently incarcerated at Georgia State Prison, further linking her to the inmate-led network.
Florida and Georgia Authorities Collaborate
The case represents a growing trend of interstate fraud rings coordinated through digital currency platforms and communications from within correctional facilities.
The Volusia Sheriff’s Office praised the cooperation of Georgia law enforcement in facilitating Rimes’ transfer and assisting with forensic banking records that helped unravel the scam.
Victim Impact and Ongoing Investigation
The Daytona Beach victim who lost $17,000 is reportedly cooperating with the investigation and may be eligible for victim restitution depending on the outcome of the case.
Detectives are now looking into whether additional victims or accomplices are connected to Rimes or the same Georgia-based prison fraud group.
Have you been targeted by similar digital scams or phone threats involving law enforcement impersonation? Share your experience in the comments at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com — and help others avoid becoming victims.
