SPOKANE — U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington Vanessa Waldref announced Thursday that the U.S. Secret Service has seized over $290,000 as part of an alleged fraud scam that targeted an elderly Wenatchee couple.

In a press release, Waldref said the couple, who were not named, were befriended by the alleged perpetrator through WhatsApp who claimed to be a 35-year-old traveling musician. The alleged perpetrator, who was also not named in the press release, convinced the couple to send more than $20,000 as well as refinance their home, convincing them the money would be used in a real estate investment.

However, as the money from the home refinances was being transferred, the press release said the head of an unnamed Wenatchee-area title company became suspicious and contacted law enforcement. Secret Service agents prevented the transfer, and will return the money to the victims, the press release said.

No charges have been filed against the alleged perpetrator at this time, the release added.

“Financial fraud schemes targeting the elderly are reprehensible. With our increasing use and dependency on technology, fraudsters have found new ways to target and scam unsuspecting Americans,” Waldref said in the press release. “The public can be assured that our office is committed to investigating and prosecuting financial fraud scams, especially those that impact the elderly.”

The press release said anyone suspecting someone aged 60 or older is being targeted by a financial fraud scheme can call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). For more information about the Department of Justice’s efforts to help American seniors visit their website at www.justice.gov/elderjustice.