A fugitive accused of scamming football fans across the United States has finally been apprehended and imprisoned, authorities announced on Tuesday. The suspect, Paul Benjamin Locke, also known as “Big Ben,” had been wanted since July 2020 for serially defrauding victims on Craigslist and social media platforms. According to reports by Athlon Sports, Locke would advertise items such as University of Georgia football tickets, Peach Bowl tickets, and counterfeit goods online.
Locke’s modus operandi involved accepting payments through Venmo and Cash App but failing to deliver the promised goods. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia, which had been investigating the case, revealed that Locke had scammed victims in at least nine different police jurisdictions nationwide. The arrest was made on October 31, with the assistance of nine other law enforcement agencies, including police in Heflin and Oxford, Alabama, as reported by Atlanta News First.
Locke, who had been evading capture for over a year, is now behind bars at the Douglas County Jail in Georgia. He faces both a felony and misdemeanor charge for violating the terms of his probation. Jail records confirm that he is being held without bail. The Sheriff’s office suspects that Locke may have victims throughout the country and is urging anyone else who fell prey to his scams to contact their local law enforcement agencies.
This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by online scammers and the importance of remaining vigilant. Americans are encouraged to protect themselves from such fraudsters by exercising caution when making online purchases and verifying the legitimacy of sellers. By staying informed and taking necessary precautions, individuals can avoid falling victim to similar scams in the future.
