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The elaborate hoax started in March 2024, when the Woodbridge woman received a call from a man who claimed she had won a massive cash prize and a brand-new car—but first, she had to pay some fees to claim her winnings.
Over the next several months, detectives say the scammers manipulated the woman into sending money in various forms, opening multiple bank accounts, and even handing over debit cards linked to those accounts.
She also purchased money orders and even attempted to buy a vehicle, all under the belief that her big payday was just around the corner.
It wasn’t.
Instead, investigators say two suspects—Darien Deventon Smith, 31, and Sheniece Elaine Smith, 32, both of Bridgeport, Connecticut—pocketed the cash and disappeared, leaving the woman with nothing.
Detectives from Prince William County worked alongside Adult Protective Services, Homeland Security Investigations, the USPS, and other federal and state agencies to track down the alleged scammers.
On Friday, Feb. 28, officers found Darien and Sheniece Smith in Bridgeport, where they were taken into custody.
Both suspects are now facing charges of obtaining money by false pretenses and conspiracy to commit a felony.
Their court date is pending, and bond information was not immediately available.
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