25-year-old woman scams Florida resident of $1,500 via Zelle by impersonating bank employee

Summary

A 25-year-old woman from Virginia, Kristina Stead, is accused of scamming an Englewood resident out of $1,500 by posing as a bank employee. She called the victim, claiming their bank account was compromised, and convinced them to send money through Zelle. The incident occurred in Charlotte County, Florida, and was reported on October 9, 2025. Stead turned herself in to the Charlotte County Jail and pleaded not guilty. Detectives traced the funds to accounts in Stead’s name, including a bank and a cash app, accessed from her home in Virginia.