Feds Arrest ‘Wildboy’ & ‘Low Ball’ Scammers Targeting Military Members: Full Details
Ten people have been detained by federal authorities for allegedly scamming over 500 Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU) members of approximately $2 million. The accused fraud ring operated mostly around Naval Station Norfolk, the world's largest naval installation, and targeted members of the military community in eastern Virginia using sophisticated tactics.
The defendants included in the indictment, which was filed last month, are Rodney Thornton, Steven Jones III, Jamaica Sumner, Troy Davis III, Laterrance Parker Jr., Jordan Pugh, Lois Staton, Joy Davis, Persia Brown, and Andrea Holley. Many were known by colorful aliases such as "Wildboy," "Fatty," "Jizzle," "Arod," "T-Roy," and "Lil T." Prosecutors accused the group with numerous counts of bank fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy.
Between 2023 and 2025, the scammers reportedly approached "military-age males" at gas stations or parking lots, using a two-person technique in which one distracted the victim while the other accessed their smartphone. Victims were forced into turning up phones under the name of assisting with account access or financial emergencies, with promises of repayment via Zelle or Cash App. Once in control of the devices, the scammers allegedly transferred monies, applied for fake loans, and stole personal information, often collecting $5,000 to $6,000 from each victim.
Authorities allege that in certain situations, scammers used threats or flashed firearms to scare victims. In other cases, they tried to hide their footprints by uninstalling NFCU app alerts or setting devices to airplane mode to avoid detection. According to reports, the focused strategy has impacted hundreds of NFCU members, all of whom are military personnel, veterans, or their families.
NFCU spokesperson Aziz Hazou-Gonzales stressed the significance of vigilance, cautioning members not to allow others to use their phones in public places. "These cases demonstrate how important it is to treat an authenticated banking app with the same caution as a physical wallet," he said, advising anyone targeted by similar scams to call law police right away.
Experts at FightCybercrime.org emphasized that scams frequently create a false sense of urgency, making critical thinking difficult and susceptible victims to manipulation. The arrests mark a significant step in protecting the military community from targeted financial crimes, emphasizing the importance of ongoing awareness and digital security procedures.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general guidance only and is not intended to serve as legal or financial advice. Readers should consult official law enforcement sources for details on ongoing investigations and take appropriate precautions to protect their personal information.