NORTH PORT, Fla. — Tonight, 42- year old Jason Depretis is accused of scamming a Charlotte County business and others out of $85,000 after claiming to have cancer.
"It's actually one of the easier frauds to commit because you're playing on people's emotions and hoping that they immediately act on that," said Scott Russell, President of Intel Research Group Inc.
According to North Port Police, he created fake medical documents prompting family members to start two GoFundMe pages and a Facebook fundraiser account to help with treatment costs and outstanding bills.
Detectives say they found 229 counterfeit medical records that Depretis created.
One local fraud expert says this is all too common.
"The fraud schemes are relatively the same as they have always been, they're just putting a twist of COVID on it or finding another reason to pull on your heartstrings. I think there is still going to be a future wave from the economic impacts that people are suffering right now," said Russel.
Investigators say business and employer of Depretis's family member started paying the alleged medical bills. The business became suspicious after noticing Depretis seemed healthy.
Russel is warning people not to be quick to donate money.
"If you need to, you can call your local law enforcement agency, and or the jurisdiction this person supposedly lives in, just take a couple of days nobody needs to get the money before midnight," said Russel.
At this time, Depretis is charged with scheme to defraud. A 50,000 bond has been set.
