G
winnett County Police detectives have recovered over $100,000 for a woman who fell victim to a business email compromise scam while purchasing her home. The scammer posed as her real estate closing attorney's office, instructing her to wire $131,092.55 to finalize the purchase in December 2022. However, the funds were sent to an account at JP Morgan Chase Bank in New York instead of the actual attorney.

    Detectives from Gwinnett County's Financial Crimes Unit tracked the money to an account controlled by Edina Winter of Glen Cove, New York. Winter had no connection to the home sale and was found to be in possession of the stolen funds. She was charged in New York and returned $45,092.55, which she had personally used from the stolen funds.

    With assistance from JP Morgan Chase, Gwinnett County detectives seized the remaining $86,000 and returned it to the victim. Authorities are seeking information about the case and ask anyone with tips to contact Gwinnett County Police detectives at 770-513-5300 or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477 or stopcrimeATL.com. Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment in the case.