Suspect arrested in national fraud case that targeted Whatcom County resident
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Authorities arrested a California man tied to a multimillion-dollar fraud ring.
- Scammers impersonated federal agents, extracting over $100K from a local victim.
- Law enforcement urges public to verify agency requests and report suspicious calls.
Whatcom County authorities have arrested a man they believe to be involved with an organization that has scammed millions from people across the country, including more than $100,000 from a county resident.
Detectives from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office received a report May 15 of ongoing fraud that started in mid-April, according to Deb Slater with the sheriff’s office.
The individual who contacted police reported receiving a call from someone claiming to be officer “Daniel Lucas” from the Federal Office of the Inspector General.
The man claiming to be Lucas knew the individual’s name and talked about an investigation into money laundering and drug trafficking. He then told the individual to speak with another officer and Lucas’ partner, David Freeman, according to Slater.
Freeman later contacted the individual and provided a photo of his badge and credentials (which were fake). Freeman (real name unknown) told the individual they were a victim of fraud, and they needed to remove money from their bank account and deposit it in a federal reserve located in Seattle, according to Slater.
The victim was told money would be moved by “agents” sent by Freeman to pick up cash or gold on three different days. Since the start of the scam, the individual also kept in contact with Freeman through daily phone calls every morning and every night. The individual was also instructed to pick up the phone whenever Freeman called, Slater said.
The victim was instructed not to speak to anyone about what was happening, not to notify law enforcement or research Freeman or Lucas, according to Slater.
After the third pickup of cash/gold the sheriff’s office had been contacted. When Freeman contacted the individual for a fourth pickup, detectives were ready and observed a man, later identified as a 55-year-old California resident, pick up the package and leave the area at high speeds, Slater said.
The suspect was apprehended through the combined efforts of multiple agencies, including Skagit County Interlocal Drug Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air Unit, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations and the Whatcom Regional Drug Task Force.
He was arrested on suspicion of first-degree theft, a class B felony.
Authorities believe the suspect is a part of the nationwide organization that has stolen several million dollars from people, usually targeting seniors. A Google search of the image of the fake credentials revealed the same image being used in scams across the country, Slater said.
“It’s important to know that law enforcement will never contact individuals to ask for funds or valuables,” Slater said. “Even if credentials appear authentic, verify any request by contacting the agency directly. If you are told over the phone that you are facing federal charges, please reach out to your local law enforcement agency. Don’t fall victim to scams. Stay safe and stay informed.”
People who believe they have been targeted by this scam, or know someone who has been, are encouraged to contact the department’s non-emergency line at 360-676-6911.
The investigation is ongoing.
This story was originally published May 23, 2025 at 1:21 PM.
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