A 31-year-old Miami woman is accused of posing as a bank representative and targeting a senior citizen in Martin County, Florida. Authorities say she attempted to obtain the victim’s bank card after claiming the account had been compromised. Deputies arrested her during a traffic stop near Interstate 95 on Monday. Officials later said $3,200 in cash was found hidden inside her body after she was taken to jail.
The woman, Moniquie Love Turnbull, faces multiple fraud-related charges as well as an allegation that she introduced contraband into a detention facility. Investigators have not determined who owned the recovered cash, which has been sealed as evidence.
| 1) | Alleged bank impersonation scheme |
| 2) | Investigation and traffic-stop arrest |
| 3) | Cash allegedly found after booking |
| 4) | Charges and bond information |
| 5) | Warnings for potential victims |
Alleged bank impersonation scheme
According to investigators, Moniquie Love Turnbull went to the home of a senior citizen in Martin County while claiming to represent the person’s bank. She allegedly said the account had been compromised and sought to take possession of a debit or credit card, telling the resident it would be disposed of. The alleged victim became suspicious instead of surrendering the card and contacted law enforcement.
The allegation fits a common impersonation tactic in which a suspect uses an urgent financial claim to persuade a person to hand over cards, cash, gold or other valuables. In this case, authorities said the reported target was at least 60 years old, a factor reflected in one of the charges.
Investigation and traffic-stop arrest
While deputies were investigating the initial report, they received another call identifying Turnbull as a possible suspect in a similar case, according to the sheriff’s office. Investigators then searched for her vehicle as she traveled through the area.
Deputies located Turnbull driving near Interstate 95 before she could leave Martin County. She was arrested during a traffic stop on Monday, and the arrest was recorded on law enforcement body-camera video. The investigation remained focused on whether she used the same approach in more than one incident.
Cash allegedly found after booking
Authorities said the case took an additional turn after Turnbull was brought to jail. During the booking process, officials reported finding $3,200 in cash hidden inside her body. The cash was recovered, placed in an evidence bag and sealed while investigators worked to determine its ownership.
“It’s not clear who the money was taken from, but for now, it’s accounted for and sealed in evidence,” the sheriff’s office said in a public statement.
Officials also noted that the money could eventually return to public circulation after the legal and evidentiary process is complete. No determination about the cash’s source had been announced in the information provided.
Charges and bond information
Turnbull faces charges of scheme to defraud, felony use of a two-way communication device and fraudulent use of a credit or debit card without consent involving a victim age 60 or older. She also faces an additional charge of introducing contraband into a prison or detention facility based on the alleged discovery of the cash after her arrival.
The sheriff’s office said bond was set at $500,000. The charges are allegations, and the information provided does not establish a conviction or state how Turnbull has responded to the case in court.
Warnings for potential victims
Following the arrest, authorities advised residents not to give credit cards, cash, gold or other valuables to unexpected visitors who claim to represent a bank, financial institution, government agency or another organization. Legitimate institutions generally can be contacted through independently verified phone numbers or official channels rather than through an unplanned home visit.
Officials urged anyone confronted with a similar demand not to let the visitor inside and not to hand over property. Residents who believe they are being targeted should call 911 and provide investigators with information about the person, vehicle and statements made during the encounter.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Turnbull is accused of posing as a bank representative and targeting a senior citizen. |
| 2 | Deputies arrested her near Interstate 95 after receiving reports about the alleged scheme. |
| 3 | Authorities said $3,200 was found hidden inside her body after she was taken to jail. |
| 4 | She faces fraud, card misuse, communication-device and contraband charges, with bond set at $500,000. |
Summary
The case began with an alleged attempt to deceive a senior citizen into surrendering a bank card and later expanded after authorities reported finding cash concealed inside Turnbull’s body at the jail. Investigators are holding the money as evidence while the fraud and contraband allegations proceed. Authorities are urging residents to independently verify unexpected financial claims and immediately report suspected scams.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Turnbull accused of doing?
She is accused of posing as a bank representative, claiming a senior citizen’s account had been compromised and attempting to obtain the person’s debit or credit card.
What cash did authorities report finding?
Officials said they found $3,200 hidden inside Turnbull’s body after she was taken to jail. The money was sealed as evidence, and its alleged owner had not been identified.
What should residents do if someone makes a similar demand?
Authorities advise residents not to allow the person inside, not to hand over valuables and to call 911 if they believe they are being targeted.
