Georgia Woman Charged in Dakota County Fraud Case Alleging $11,600 Wells Fargo Scam
Published: April 9th 2026
HASTINGS MN: A Georgia woman has been charged in Dakota County District Court with multiple felony counts in connection with a bank fraud scheme that allegedly resulted in more than $11,000 being taken from a victim in Hastings, according to a criminal complaint.
Amani Edwards (DOB: 06/28/2005) is charged with theft by swindle over $5,000 and receiving stolen property over $5,000, both felonies. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine between $6,000 and $20,000.
According to the complaint, officers with the Hastings Police Department were dispatched on or about December 8, 2025, to a fraud report at the department’s lobby. An adult male victim reported he had been swindled out of $11,687.91.
The victim told police that on December 6, 2025, he received a phone call from a number that appeared to be associated with Wells Fargo. The caller claimed that someone had attempted to withdraw $20,000 from the victim’s account and had applied for a loan using his tax identification number. The caller then transferred the victim to another individual described as a supervisor.
The complaint states the victim was then placed on a FaceTime call with two individuals using the identifiers “Agent.Donovan@Xsend.org” and “WFAgent@proton.me.” Although their cameras were off, the individuals allegedly provided the victim with his own personal identifying information, including his Social Security number, name, date of birth, and phone number.
Believing he was speaking with legitimate bank representatives, the victim shared his screen and followed instructions to move funds between his accounts. He was then directed to send three payments via PayPal totaling $11,687.91 to a user identified as “Amani Edwards.” Of that amount, approximately $6,500 was charged to credit and $5,187.91 was withdrawn directly from his account. The victim later learned the transactions were fraudulent.
Investigators reviewed the PayPal account and associated profile image, which showed a woman matching the physical description of Edwards. Surveillance images obtained from Walmart transactions allegedly showed the same individual using the account to spend funds.
The complaint states law enforcement obtained records linking the PayPal account “Amanilynn” to Edwards, and determined the funds taken from the victim were transferred into that account. Additional investigation, including a subpoena to Comcast, tied Edwards to addresses in Georgia located near where the account activity occurred.
Police also identified approximately 28 fraud reports connected to the same phone number used to contact the victim, all involving similar Wells Fargo-related scams.
On January 27, 2026, a Hastings police investigator contacted Edwards by phone. According to the complaint, she identified herself but ended the call and did not respond to further contact attempts.
Authorities note Edwards is believed to reside in Georgia and have requested a nationwide warrant, citing concerns she may not appear in court voluntarily.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.