On January 23rd, 2024, what began as a fraud call would end with an elderly man pretending to be a police officer. When responding to the call, the officers spoke with the store owner who informed them that they had received a bad check, and the customer refused to pay. But when the customer arrived, what the officers least expected happened. >> Got this guy wrote me up a bad check. >> We did some work for him. He's got this invoice and uh >> and we got the copy of his insufficient check fund and we tried to for weeks get it straight with him for weeks. >> And uh uh the problem is the main problem is is he don't want to pay the insufficient check fee. >> There is a fee for me getting a bad check. Most people won't >> and uh we we want to charge him $20 for that. It's just the way it is. And uh he is he don't want to he ain't doing a he's been saying he's going to send me a money order for 2 weeks. >> You have his phone number >> and uh like I said he bill was 25814 >> and um he wrote us a check >> and for 25821 I don't know why it's on >> Yeah. and and it bounced back for insufficient bonds and uh I got a hold of him and he says uh it's our fault, the bank's fault, not his fault. And he'll send us a money order after we argued with him and and uh he said he sent us a money order. Money order never came and >> that's how it's going. >> Now, do you want me to try and contact him and see if he can come here and take care of it now or do you want to like pursue a criminal char? What do you want to do? >> Yeah, let's see. He's going to come down here and just pay it out. I mean, The total >> 258 >> 27814 is what he owes me as we can tell, >> right? >> Engage 360. Is that you guys? >> No. >> If there is of a crime that >> it would be for the original amount. >> Um I know that store policy you can tack on. That's fine. >> Um but would he be required to pay back for you know, >> right? It's like someone took an item. It's like Yeah. Well, now it's like plus interest cuz I lost. You know what I mean? >> Charged a fee for that. >> We were charged by the bank for that, >> right? >> But let me give him a call and go see if he wants to take care of this. >> I mean, it's $20 either which way. I mean, we're not stressing it. It's the It's the principal at this point, >> right? But the main thing is go this far, but >> is to just get the work done for the Yeah. Okay. >> It's just ridiculous to sit here and argue with us, >> right? I got you. Let me give this guy a call real quick. Okay. At this moment, the officer called the suspect who arrived shortly after. >> 27814 receipt. >> Yep. Yep. One minute. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Yeah, I'll hang out till he gets his receipt and I'll I'll take out of here. >> How you doing? >> Pretty decent so far today. >> Over one minute. >> Yeah. So, what kind of business do you have? >> It's uh transportation, taxi. >> Oh, okay. >> Everything. >> All right. >> I service a lot of the airport. All actually all of them. All the way from Miami up. >> Jeez, that's a lot of driving. >> It is a lot of driving. This baby's got 27,000 mi on it. >> 27,000. Yeah. >> Still runs like a new car. >> Yeah. Take care of them. They do. >> Takes me a minute. >> What do you got? >> At this moment, the elderly man began boasting about an alleged ongoing investigation. >> I uh there's some things going on with these guys. I'm an investigator with Department of Justice. Okay. This was pretty much done on purpose. Okay. He got two or three places. Couple one one over Shelby and another and a couple other towns. >> And who do you work for? >> Department of Justice. Do >> you have any ID and credentials? >> Do your best. >> Yeah. Just curious. >> The supposed police officer showed a badge that did not seem to fully convince the officer. >> Okay. Do you have your ID with you as well? You're not allowed to carry it. That's it. >> You're not allowed to carry an ID. Nope. >> Just my regular Oh, you want my personal ID? >> Yeah, sure. >> Oh, I can show you my driver's license. >> Yeah, if you got it. >> I hope so. >> Please don't say anything to him. >> Okay, >> that's me. >> And how long you been working for them? >> 51 years, man. >> 51 years, man. Huh? All right. And you don't carry ID and you're not allowed to carry an >> allowed to carry paper ID. >> Okay. We'll have finish the conversation when he leaves. >> Yeah. >> Give me 300. >> Huh? >> Got change back there. You gave me 300. >> Yeah. >> All right. Thank you. Sorry I had to go to this way. I didn't expect it to be like that. >> Your dad's probably turning over in his grave. So >> yeah, he's looking at you wondering why you're doing that. >> No, he is. Let me know who you're dealing with. >> All right, guys. >> Texting me all that. Thank you, buddy. >> What just happened? >> Anyways, yeah. So, I'm not I'm not familiar. Department of what now? And >> justice. >> Department of Justice. >> All right. >> I've been all over the world, man. >> Okay. >> They got the >> And what is I've never seen that badge before. Can I see that again? No. It's very cool. had that badge since n uh two 1978. >> Wow. Can I see that again? >> See how some of my >> Yeah, that was pretty cool. >> To check the badge, the officer snapped a photo and sent it to his supervisor. >> Now, is this law enforcement? >> Yeah, Department of Justice. >> Oh, okay. >> I was just curious. >> See the world up here? >> Oh, wow. >> That's gold. >> Oh, okay. What? Uh >> kind of pretty, isn't it? >> I've never heard of it before. You never heard of the Department of Justice? >> Come on, man. You >> not Now not as a What? Uh, who do they fall underneath? I guess >> I >> Who do they fall underneath? >> Federal government, Department of Justice. >> Oh, very interesting. >> I done a lot of work for the Department of Defense, too. >> Oh, okay. And you're still active with them, huh? >> You're still active with them? >> May 8th, I'm going to be done. >> Oh. Very cool. I'll show you. >> I can't show you. >> Oh, okay. >> [ __ ] >> Oh, okay. I got you. >> But, uh, it was a great job. Been a great job. >> Yeah. >> Work when I want them. I'm at the bing call. So, what? >> I got you. >> All right. >> I know. You're from Sarasota, right? >> Charlotte. >> Oh, you're Charlotte. >> Yeah. I know a few of the guys up in Sarasota. >> Oh, okay. Who do you know up here or up there? Who do you know up there? >> Uh John, >> I don't know. It's in my paperwork. >> Oh, I got you. >> I have to keep paperwork on there. >> Okay. Yeah, I got you. Oh, yeah. If you wouldn't mind, just hold tight. I'm going to update this call and I'll come chat with you for a second, then you Okay. Yeah. >> Yeah. M Mr. So, I'm curious. Um the the Department of Justice now they gave you a badge but they don't give you an ID. >> You can't carry it. I go to foreign countries. >> If you take it to a foreign country ID back to you, >> right? But they don't allow you to carry an ID but they gave you the badge and your current law enforcement. >> That's that's strange. Do you have a you have a supervisor that you report to? >> Yeah. Unless it's a case of emergency. I'm not supposed to give his name out. >> You're not supposed to what now? >> Give out his name unless in case of emergency. All he's going to do, he he's going to >> Yeah. Hey, I hate to tell you, but it's an emergency. >> Huh? >> It's an emergency. >> How about that? Uh, let me show you. Why are you saying that? I don't >> I don't know if you're aware, but if you present a badge and say you're law enforcement and you're not, that's a that's a felony. >> I don't I don't use it. Only when I leave the country. I just wanted to show you a little bit of information. >> Right. But you presented it to me and told me you're law enforcement, but you don't have an ID. >> That is it. I'm a federal. >> Yeah. Federal law enforcement, right? Okay. Yeah. So, like FBI >> No. Uh I don't want to get in trouble. >> Oh, let me hit Let me see if it's >> What's that? >> I'm going to Paraguay. >> To what's that? >> I'm going to Paraguay 25. >> Okay. I operate out of the country very seldom. Yeah. I was asked to do this because these these guys are reported to be bringing drugs into the country. >> Okay. >> From we know that they're going down there >> four to five days a week. >> Okay. Did you have your ID with you again? I'm sorry. Your regular driver's license. >> I don't think you're going to find find out too much because they won't they don't give much. They're not going to relinquish that much information. No, they won't. >> All right. But >> I don't know what I don't know what can I do to make you understand that I'm not a pay. >> Yeah, that's what I was just asking some questions and stuff like that for just so I can have a better understand cuz like I said, I've I've never really had that many actions. I've worked with federal law enforcement before. I used to work for DoD as a military police officer. >> Department of Defense. >> Yeah. >> This is Department of Justice. >> Yeah, I got you. >> A big difference. >> Yeah. Right. Gotcha. All right. >> All right. Don't take my driver's license. >> Yeah, I'm just going to hold on to I'm not I'm not I'm not stealing it from you. I promise. >> Hey, um we're in this predicament. I'm just going to read you this real quick. Okay, >> I read it. >> All right, I'm going to read it to you anyways. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say >> can be used against you in court. You have the right to talk to a lawyer for advice before we ask you any questions and have him or her with you during questioning. If you can't afford a lawyer, one will be appointed to you before any questioning if you wish. I know this is silly. If you decide to answer any questions without a lawyer present, you still have the right to stop answering at any time. Still have the right to stop answering at any time until you talk to a lawyer. I just have to get that out of the way when we have a conversation like this. >> That's fine. >> Yeah. >> I know the route I have myself. >> Did you have your supervisor's number? >> I can't give it to you. I can't do it. They won't let me if I do. >> All right. >> Northport knows who I am. >> Northport PD. >> Yeah. >> They know who your supervisor is. I have their uh >> Who do you know in Northport that would be able to verify who you are? >> Morales. >> The chief. >> Yes. Assistant. >> Assistant chief. >> Uh also um I have the phone number directed to them. So if I have a problem, I can call them. >> Oh, what's that phone number? You don't have any guns in the car or nothing like that, do you? >> I'm of course. >> You armed? >> Oh, yeah. >> All right. Here. Okay, that's fine. Leave it there. All right. Uh, real quick, I'll let you get that phone number, but we're gonna just change things up. I need you to shut the car off real quick, okay? Because you're detained right now. >> Too long. I got to pick. >> Okay. Yeah, that's all right. Here, shut your car off for me. All right. >> Next, the officer will call the number given by the fake cop. And the reply leaves him speechless. >> Do me a favor. Shut your car off. >> All right. Where's your firearm at? >> It's right there. >> In the inside of your shirt. >> It's in the shoulder hole. So, right here >> underneath. Don't reach for it. Don't reach for it. >> No, no, it's right. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Okay. >> All right. Here's what I want you to do. Okay. Um, you're you're carrying a firearm. >> Yeah. >> Um, >> unlicensed. >> Okay, that's fine. I'm going to remove it from you temporarily. >> Huh? >> I'm going to remove it from you temporarily because of the way things are. All right. What I want you to do is place your hands over that direction. I'm going to take it off of you. Okay? Don't reach for it. Don't reach for it. Don't unbutton. Don't unbutton. I'm going to take care of it for you. All right, you can just keep your hands over there. I'm just going to pack. That's loaded. There's no one in the chamber. >> I got you. No guns in the car. >> No. >> All right, car's off. All right, just go ahead and face me and just we'll have a conversation here. Okay, >> I don't know if I can ride, buddy. >> You just hang tight right there. All right. Like I said, if this is you are who you say you are, then we're go you'll be on your way. No problem. >> Here's the North Here's the North Court direct assistance phone number right there. >> Oh, okay. And >> so if I have any problems, they'll assist me. >> Okay. And who who am I gonna talk to on here that's gonna be able to confirm who you are? >> Chris Morales, I guess. >> Chris Morales. >> Yeah. >> Okay. I happen to know him just because I know. Okay. But I just think that's a little strange that number two in command is the only person that know who you are. You get what I'm saying? Does that sound right? >> Yeah, it does. >> Okay. >> I've been after this 51 years of me, buddy. >> All right. Well, I've just I've got a lot of law enforcement friends and family, and this isn't quite normal what you'd say. >> Keep that wheel. That's what I >> Oh, okay. Yeah. >> All right. Hi, this is uh Deputy Chandler here. Um, I'm currently investigating a a crime. This is kind of pecular that I get called to you guys. Um, I don't know if this can be accomplished, but this individual is claiming to be a uh federal entity of law enforcement, and the only person that is able to justify whether or not he is or not is your guys's number two in command. So, um, I don't know if I'd be able to speak to Chief uh Morales or not, but if there is a possibility, um, if he's available, that would be good. If not, I completely understand. >> What department did you say you're with? >> I'm with the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office. I'm sorry. >> That's okay. >> Yeah. >> All right. Um, well, let me uh place you on a brief real quick. Okay. >> Thanks. I appreciate it. Not a call you get every day. >> You're welcome. >> Thanks. >> Okay. So, does does he know that you're calling or no? >> He does not. Um, and again, I know this is strange, but um if it's possible, we just so I can say that I check this box. I know it's a request, but >> so you think that they live here? >> Um, so this individual is saying that one of the only people that can justify who this um our subject here is is Chief Morales. So, um, before I go further with investigating this pretty serious felony, I'd like to check the box at least that I reached out. If he does or doesn't know, he can let us know. But I understand if he can't accept the call at the moment. >> Yeah. Okay. Uh, so what's the address of that person then? >> Do you have it? >> His address? Yeah. Hold on one second. All right. So, this where we're at. >> Huh? >> I said this is where we're at. Um, you're claiming to be law enforcement. >> Not law enforcement. >> Okay. Now you changed your story. >> Department? No. Department of Justice. I told you that. >> Yeah. But you also said law enforcement I have it on recording here and you said yeah but so that's strange and then you don't have an ID and I'm not allowed to talk to any of your supervisors or anyone that's able to confirm your identification. >> What are they going to do? >> Secret agent. >> But what are we doing here? >> What are we doing here? >> Yeah. >> Right now you're detained for a crime. >> What crime? >> Impersonating law enforcement until I can figure out otherwise. So, >> at this point, the elderly man knows he's in trouble, but still refuses to tell the truth. >> That's not normal out of my years of experience and being around law enforcement, that you can't carry an identification card. >> What do I do about it? >> Yeah, but if you left the country, say that was true, and you left the country, you just leave your ID at home. You're in the States. >> I can't take it with me either. I can't take it with me. I can't take nothing with me. Like, I'm going to Paraguay the 25th. Okay. I can't take no form of American identification. >> That doesn't make any sense. I'm just >> being I'm just I'm that doesn't make any sense. I'm just being honest with you. That makes that makes no sense. I'm just being honest with you. >> You just work for Department of Justice as a whole. But what entity of Department of Justice or what law enforcement group of Department of Justice? What I do is I go to different countries and I mediate uh let's say there's going to be an uprising or a coup or something like that. I mediate try to mediate that and bring it down to a lower level. That's what my my job is. >> Okay. And you said you're actively investigating this place for a crime, right? >> I'm not. >> You just said a minute ago you're investigating something. >> I'm not investigating. I am giving information back to don't do the investigation. That's my supervisor. >> And your supervisor is not able to be reached by phone. It's that secretive that he can't even talk to me. >> He He won't. No. >> He won't because his ID is them. >> You can't give his name. Can you give his name out either? >> Yeah. He gave you a name out. It's Elliot. That's all he >> Oh, just Elliot. Okay. >> That's all I know him. >> That's all you know him as? Okay. >> And you're going to make me late for this call. You know where I am. You know where I live. Is there any problem? Come back. Come get me. Come >> see me. >> Yeah, that may be. But we're going to hang tight. >> Moments later, the officer's supervisor arrives at the scene to find out what's happening. >> Hello. >> Hey. So, what where where do you work for under the Department of Justice? >> I never know who I'm going to be working for. >> Okay. >> The last guy I worked for >> Who's your supervisor right now? >> Huh? Who's your supervisor right now? >> His name is Elliot. >> Elliot. >> I can't I don't know his last name. >> Can't give it out. Nest. >> Know his last name. >> Elliot. Nes. >> He said he can't give it out. >> He can't give it out. Okay. >> Super secretive. All right. Do you have his phone number? >> No. >> I never contact them. They contact me. >> Yes. Very secretive. >> Yeah. >> Okay. All right. What was What was the last investigation you conducted? >> You don't have to give me any names or no locations? >> There was nothing. Uh and I don't do the investigation. I'm just checking the box. >> I uh it was up in Sarasota. >> People are selling dogs. >> Went in and bought a dog, so they would have been possible that we just have a weapon on you. >> He has Okay. >> Do you have some pretty trouble? >> I'll show you here. Okay. Every law enforcement officer. Okay. And that's what you're saying you are, right? A law enforcement officer. >> You're forced to lie. I >> work for the Department of Justice investigation. >> All right. What do you got? >> So, this right here. Okay. This is saying that I have full arrest powers. Take it. >> Yeah. Saying I have full arrest powers and I have the ability to carry a concealed weapon. Okay. That's given to me by my boss. All right. Do you have anything like that from you from your boss? >> No. Okay. >> They won't they won't give us stuff like that. >> Okay. >> Because if we're thrown out of the >> country, >> we can't take ID >> only driving. >> But yet you got a bag that's enormous. Now this bag. >> Um, no. Uh, >> sure. Let me see it. >> Yeah. >> The supervisor checks the supposed police officer's badge and quickly realizes it is completely fake. >> Can I take it out of the case? >> Yeah, if you can get it out. Been in there a long time. >> I bet. >> Wait, it's got Oh, >> don't drop it. [Applause] >> There's no number on the back of it. >> No, it don't happen. >> Yeah. >> Let me tell you. Hey, guy. Listen. >> No. This is what's what we're doing right now. This is what we're listening to. Okay. So, right now, you're being detained. Do you understand that? >> I don't understand why. >> Okay. Because you're you're you're impersonating a law enforcement officer. >> I'm not. >> Okay. >> I'm not saying a law enforcement officer. I work for our government. >> All right. So, who do you work for? >> The department of justice. >> Okay. >> That's all. >> Do you know what? Can can you tell me the different areas of the Department of Justice? >> Investigations. >> Okay. What else? >> That's all I do. >> Okay. Like what agency within the Department of Justice? Well, it's mostly foreign stuff like um I'm scheduled >> foreign stuff like office of what? >> Scheduled to go to Paraguay the 25th of March. >> I'm scheduled to go to Paraguay the 25th of March. >> Okay. For for who? >> Department of Justice. >> Okay. All right. That's not how the Department of Justice works. >> Oh, yeah. Okay. That's like him being in the army saying, "Well, I work for the Department of Defense." But he works for the Army. So, what agency under the Department of Justice do you work for? >> Pretty much all of them. >> Name one. Give me one. Give me two. Uh, just because in case you got lucky. Give me two areas of the Department of Justice. >> Foreign uh >> foreign investigations. >> Okay. Nope. >> No. We have a different name for that. >> Why are you guys busting my balls? I'm not doing anything wrong >> except for lying >> and sir now. Okay. >> Until proven otherwise. So >> Huh. >> And this is we're investigating a felony. I'm just letting you know. >> So knowing that you're that what you're claiming to be a federal agent, okay, is being investigated for a felony, I would be calling up my supervisor right now. >> Yes. >> What's your supervisor's number? >> Not allowed. >> And I could call him. >> I'm not allowed. I'm not allowed. >> Will he accept calls from jail? All right. I guess you guys got to do what you got to do. >> Yeah, we're Yeah, >> we're trying to get a hold of Chris Morales. He knows about what I do. >> Hey, so he says he works for the Department of Justice. I'm like, well, what what agency within it? And he says the foreign what? >> All of them at first. >> Yes. >> Yeah, he works for all of them. >> But the foreign foreign investigations >> foreign investigations department of the DOJ. The officer talks with his supervisor about all the nonsense the little old man is saying, >> but he has no no ID. He's carrying a weapon. >> Right. Exactly. Okay. I I don't know to be honest. I don't even know how we ran into this guy. I've been running running ragged all day. Um but um but yeah, he he says because I got um the images, right? We had uh cuz I had I don't know if you know Wokei, he works with the um Yeah. So he's ask Yeah. He's asking those guys down there and they're like, "No, it looks uh I think the the term they used was fake as so." Exactly. That bag is worthless. Our contacts with the FBI say >> the term was fake as >> turn off your car, please. >> It's off. >> No, it's off. His car's off. >> Your car is off. Yeah, I already out. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Step on out real quick. >> Can you walk or do you need your walker? >> I'm sorry. >> Can you walk? Okay. Or do you normally use your walker? >> I usually use my walker. >> Can I get it for you? >> Yeah. What's going on? So, we need to stand up and talk about >> Yeah. >> There you go. Okay. Yeah. We'll start over here real quick. >> All right. So, you're getting placed under arrest for impersonating a law enforcement officer. Okay. It's a felony. And I'm also going to charge you with carrying a a firearm in a commission of a felony. Okay. Yeah, we we looked into all that. Um I I've been around long enough work with federal entities that we're not we're not buying it. Just long story short. Okay. >> Not going to be good tomorrow. All right. My our supervisor knows everybody our intelligence unit knows the uh the federal agents already know. We're already talking to federal agents about this. So they already know. So it's going to be no surprise. Okay. >> Like I said, if you give us a a supervisor, we will gladly call. >> He's looking now. He's trying to find one. >> Who's that? The >> police officer just called me PDF PD. >> Yeah, we we're done with the secret agent stuff. We're all done. Let's make money in the back of that car. >> Yeah, >> you're going to jail. >> We'll go get to call somebody when you get to jail. When you get to jail, >> I'll get your phone for you. Yep. We got all that. I've been a gentleman the whole time, too. Okay. So, if I say I'm going to get your phone, trust me. That'll go with us. Okay. >> Weapons on you. >> He's got it. >> No, I got it. Yeah. Just come here. I'm going to I'm going to search him here. Just hang tight right there. >> No other weapons other than that pistol, right? Okay. >> What's this? Is this a >> That's a band that I already moved the firearm out of. >> Okay. I just got to I don't know if I can get in here. >> I've got you. I'm just supporting you. Okay. There you go. Good. Okay. Very good. Very good. Okay. Oh, this is so tight. I don't know if I get my leg in. >> There you go. I slide the other one in. >> Right. >> Yeah. >> Where's my car going to be? >> Where's going to get towed? I'm going to give you the tow sheet for it. Okay. >> What? >> It's going to get towed. I'm going to give you the tow sheet. Slide your other foot in there. Just a little more. Yeah, you can scoot back as far as you need. You just got to make that gap and your foot can slide under there. >> How do I get Am I going to be released tonight? >> Yeah, if you get If you get that bail, you you're a bond. You will >> What is the bail going to be? >> I don't know. I don't set the bales, but >> You got my gun, right? My >> I do. Yeah, it's going to go into evidence. Okay. All right. You're older and you got some health concerns, so I'm going to handcuff you in the front. Okay. Put your hands in the front of you. >> Can I have my phone so I can call my girl my girl and have her come get me? >> Not right now. >> At the jail, you can >> put your hands in your front of you. >> The elderly man asks to call his girlfriend to pick him up, but it's already too late. All the trouble the old man could have avoided if he had just kept quiet and paid his debt.