DOOLY COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) - A Georgia inmate is facing charges in Florida, in connection to a phone-based fraud scheme targeting Florida residents.

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office obtained an arrest warrant for Abraham Rivas, 32, who is incarcerated at Dooly State Prison in Georgia. Rivas is accused of targeting a Flagler County resident by impersonating a Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputy.

According to the sheriff’s office, on March 12, deputies with FCSO’s Community Policing Division responded to a fraud report in Palm Coast. Officers said a victim reported sending two $500 payments to a person claiming to be “Officer Christopher Osorio with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.” The victim believed the money was required for bond and an ankle monitor following the victim’s spouse’s recent arrest, according to the sheriff’s office.

According to the sheriff’s office, the account holder told investigators Rivas said the incoming payments were legal sports-betting winnings, and the account holder believed the people sending the money were Rivas’ family members. The money was then sent to Rivas’ commissary account at Dooly State Prison, according to the sheriff’s office.

While detective First Class Douglas interviewed Rivas at Dooly State Prison, Rivas described how the fraud operation functioned from inside the Georgia prison system.

During the interview, Rivas said other inmates ran similar scams and claimed that correctional staff were aware of the activity, according to the sheriff’s office.

Rivas also claimed he used proceeds from the fraud to purchase marijuana inside the prison. Detective Douglas obtained an arrest warrant charging Rivas with organized scheme to defraud and grand theft.

“This suspect used deception and impersonated FCSO to exploit our victim and they did this from a Georgia prison. It appears criminal activity is occurring right under their nose, and that is completely inexcusable. If you steal from our residents, whether you are in Flagler County or in a prison cell in another state, we will investigate the case, obtain a warrant, and hold you accountable.”

Rivas is currently serving four years in the Georgia Department of Corrections for charges including aggravated assault, theft by taking, robbery by sudden snatching.

He was scheduled for release in 2027.

Following this investigation, the sheriff’s office said they will never call, text or email demanding money or personal information to clear-up a warrant, avoid arrest, or resolve a legal issue.

The sheriff’s office advise all residents to avoid sending money to anyone you do not know.

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