A 31‑year‑old Augusta woman, Shalieva Breann Hennings, has been arrested in Richmond County in connection with a phone scam that involved impersonating law‑enforcement and court officials to trick victims into sending money. She was charged with Felony Theft by Deception and booked into the Charles B. Webster Detention Center.
How the scam worked
Richmond County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) says the scam, which investigators began looking into January 17, involved callers pretending to be from a Georgia sheriff’s office, court staff, or bonding agents. In one reported case, a Richmond County resident was told a family member was in jail and urged to pay “bond” through Cash App, which turned out to be a fraud.
How to avoid similar scams
RCSO emphasizes that the sheriff’s office will never call people about bond payments for family members, missed court dates, or demand money over the phone. Legitimate agencies also will not ask for payments via Cash App, Venmo, PayPal, or similar apps; residents who think they may have been targeted are urged to contact Sgt. Sean Cochran at (706) 821‑1020.
