A sharp-eyed bank teller at South State Bank's Orange Avenue branch foiled an elaborate check fraud scheme Wednesday, preventing a 71-year-old customer from losing an additional $24,980 and unraveling a broader con that had already drained $50,000 from the victim's account, as Orlando police highlighted the rising tide of elder financial exploitation.

Viera Castro, the suspect, presented the check claiming it was payment for "construction work" from a Haines City resident. The teller's gut feeling—triggered by inconsistencies in the story and document—prompted an immediate call to authorities.

Officers arrived swiftly, detaining Castro on-site; he was later released after posting $2,500 bond, per jail records.

The victim recounted a classic overpayment scam: Castro, posing as a computer repairman, fixed his machine when an "FTC" alert flagged a $150,000 erroneous deposit. Instructed to "refund" the excess via two $25,000 checks without telling anyone, the senior complied despite no prior ties to Castro, a ploy that netted the fraudster $50,000 before the teller's intervention.

Orlando Police Sgt. Michael Fiorentino emphasized the scam's prevalence among seniors, noting it preys on trust and urgency. "It doesn't have to be a full report—just call to verify legitimacy," he advised, underscoring resources like family consultations or police sweeps for hidden devices.

The bust shines a light on Florida's elder fraud epidemic, with over 100 tracking device cases this year alone, per state data.