Truist Bank Impersonation Scam Cost Virginia Man $15,000

A Virginia man lost $15,000 after a scammer posing as a Truist Bank employee directed him to withdraw cash and hand it to a fake FBI agent at a Walgreens.

Henrico resident Ahmed Gabr told local station WRIC the scheme started with a call warning that his credit card had been compromised. The caller said his account was at risk and that immediate action was needed.

Instead of advising him to freeze the card or contact the bank through official channels, the caller told Gabr to go to a local branch and withdraw $15,000. He was then instructed to meet someone presented as an FBI agent at a Walgreens and hand over the cash.

Gabr followed the instructions, believing the transaction was part of an effort to protect his account. The funds were never returned.

He is sharing his story to warn others about red flags in bank impersonation scams, including urgent demands to withdraw cash and meet strangers in public places. After realizing he had been scammed, Gabr reported the incident to police and contacted his bank. The $15,000 was gone by that point.

The scheme follows a pattern common in impersonation fraud: a caller creates urgency around a fabricated security threat, then directs the victim to bypass normal safeguards. The use of a fake law enforcement figure adds credibility and pressure to comply.

Truist Bank did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) warns that legitimate banks and federal agents never demand cash withdrawals or in-person handoffs to strangers.

Gabr's case is a reminder that any unsolicited call demanding immediate action with cash or wire transfers should be treated as a red flag. Hanging up and calling the bank directly using the number on the back of the card is the standard safeguard.