Chillicothe, OH – Two men have been arrested in Ross County after authorities say they allegedly scammed a local resident out of nearly $59,000 in a PayPal-related fraud earlier this week.
According to Ross County Sheriff George W. Lavender Jr., deputies were alerted on October 20, 2025, after a resident reported losing $44,000 in an electronic transfer and another $15,000 in cash to suspects who later appeared at his home attempting to collect more money.
The U.S. 23 Major Crimes Task Force assisted in the arrests of 33-year-old Rodrigo Garcia-Lavera and 28-year-old Neiker Jose Rodriguez Teran. Investigators said over $15,000 in cash was seized and placed into evidence.
Sheriff Lavender stated that both suspects are believed to be in the United States illegally. Federal agencies, including the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), have been contacted to assist with the ongoing investigation.
Anyone who may have had contact with the two suspects is urged to contact the Ross County Sheriff’s Office at 740-773-1185.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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