Posing as Insurance Agents and Charging 'Fees': Couple Suspected of Defrauding 75 Victims

A couple from Bat Yam was arrested on suspicion of defrauding 75 victims, mostly from the Arab community, of about 300,000 shekels. They posed as insurance company representatives, demanded 'fees' of 2,000-10,000 shekels, and received codes for cash withdrawals. Ten phones were seized, and their detention was extended until August 12.

A couple from Bat Yam, Priel Ben David (34) and Sahar Shmuel Avoutboul, were arrested on suspicion of defrauding 75 victims of about 300,000 shekels. According to the suspicion, the two contacted victims, mostly from the Arab community, and presented themselves as insurance company representatives. They claimed that funds owed to the victims were waiting at the company and that they could help withdraw them, in exchange for a 'fee' ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 shekels, and in some cases up to 10,000 shekels. The victims were required to provide a code for cash withdrawal from an ATM without a card, and the funds were withdrawn using it. In a covert investigation conducted in recent months, ten phones were seized, and police estimate that additional victims will be found. Ben David is suspected of aggravated fraud, impersonation, conspiracy to commit a crime, invasion of privacy, and unauthorized processing of personal information, as well as drug possession. She exercised her right to remain silent, while Avoutboul denied the allegations. The court extended their detention until August 12. Ben David's defense attorney is expected to file an appeal with the Central District Court in Lod.