Metro Police Search For Suspect Wanted In Elaborate Cell Phone Scam

Oklahoma City police are searching for a metro woman who pulled an elaborate scam with a cell phone.

Investigators said she fooled Walmart out of nearly $800 and got away before anyone could unravel the mystery.

On August 10, the woman went to the Walmart at W. Memorial Road and N. Pennsylvania Avenue to return a cell phone for cash and brought a pack of cards with her.

“She had what appeared to be a brand new iPhone shrink-wrapped inside of the box that she was wanting a cash refund for,” Oklahoma City Police Sgt. Jennifer Wardlow explained.

The suspect showed the clerk a receipt for the iPhone 5S purchased from the Walmart in Guthrie, and the clerk refunded her $771 in cash.

After she left the store, the clerk opened the box and found two decks of playing cards but no phone.

8/13/2014 Related Story: OKC Police Seek Suspect In iPhone Return Fraud

“There's a lot of criminals out there, and they are very, very sneaky on all the stuff that they do,” Rob McClure of Chico's Electronics said.

McClure said after 18 years in the business, he is not surprised by the scheme.

“I didn't hear about that until recently," said McClure. "That's one of the new ones there. I hadn't heard about that, but like I said, people think of a lot of amazing things to try to do that kind of stuff.”

Police said criminals are always trying new things to get money.

“I think this has happened from time to time," said Sgt. Wardlow. It's not something we see too often, but we do have people that run scams like this, basically looking to get money.”

“Those criminals, if they would just use that energy for something else, they would be in great shape, because they are very, very smart,” McClure added.

McClure said he always breaks the seal on cell phone packaging to verify what is inside before handing over cash because of crimes like this.

If you recognize the woman in the surveillance pictures, call Crime Stoppers at 405-235-7300.