A 71-year-old Lake Wales man lost more than $60,000 in an internet-based banking scam.
Deputies are warning Polk County and Florida residents that there could be more victims of the scam.
Robert Ratkovcic, 49, of Orlando was served with an arrest warrant on fraud, grand theft, and money laundering charges. Ratkovcic is currently in custody in the Marin County Jail in San Rafael, California on fraud and grand theft related charges from the Sausalito Police Department in California.
Polk County Sheriff's Office, Sausalito Police Department and Orange County Sheriff's Office conducted a joint investigation into Ratkovcic.
"These scammers are disgusting in how they take advantage of people, often seniors, stealing tens of thousands of dollars. They appeal to seniors' honesty, not greed. They trick people into believing that they have been overpaid, then they deceive them into sending them their hard earned savings. I don't understand how these thieves can live with themselves." -Grady Judd, Sheriff
Detectives say there are at least two other known victims, one in Sausalito, California and one in Columbia, Missouri. There may be other Polk County or Florida victims.
