Atlanta woman accused of helping Georgia prison-based phone scam steal $79,000 from Florida victim

Arrest follows investigation tracing cryptocurrency transfers tied to alleged law-enforcement impersonation

An Atlanta woman has been arrested in Central Florida on allegations she helped a fraud ring run from inside Georgia’s prison system steal about $79,000 from a Volusia County victim through an impersonation scheme that demanded payment in cryptocurrency.

The suspect, identified by authorities as 28-year-old D’Zyre Youngblood, faces felony charges in Volusia County including grand theft and an organized scheme to defraud. Investigators say the case stems from a phone call in which the victim was threatened with arrest and directed to send funds using Bitcoin. The caller used the name of a real Volusia County Sheriff’s Office captain, a tactic investigators say is intended to make the threats seem immediate and credible.

How investigators say the scheme worked

Authorities describe the alleged operation as a coordinated, multi-state fraud structure: inmates using contraband phones to place or direct calls, and outside associates to receive and move money. In this case, detectives say financial-crimes investigators tracked the stolen funds through Bitcoin wallet transfers, developing leads that ultimately pointed to Youngblood.

The method fits a pattern seen in “government impostor” scams, which frequently rely on urgency and fear—such as warnings about arrest, warrants, or legal penalties—to push victims into making rapid payments. Cryptocurrency payments are often used because transfers can be difficult to reverse once sent.

• Impersonation of a real law-enforcement official to establish credibility
• Threat of arrest or criminal consequences to create pressure
• Instructions to pay using Bitcoin, which can be moved quickly across wallets
• Alleged coordination between incarcerated callers and outside intermediaries

What is known about the arrest and court status

Volusia County officials say Youngblood was brought to Florida and booked into custody this week. Jail records referenced by local reporting indicate she was later released on bond. The investigation remains active, and officials have indicated the alleged ring involves multiple participants beyond one suspect.

Authorities have emphasized that legitimate law-enforcement agencies do not demand payment over the phone to avoid arrest, and that callers who insist on cryptocurrency payments are a significant red flag.

Public safety guidance

Law-enforcement agencies advise residents who receive calls claiming missed jury duty, outstanding warrants, or immediate arrest threats to end the call and independently verify any claim using an official public phone number for the relevant agency or court. Victims and potential targets are also urged not to share personal information and to report suspected fraud through appropriate law-enforcement and cybercrime reporting channels.