Stafford Deputy Recovers Engagement Ring Stolen In Internet Scam

STAFFORD COUNTY, VA — A Stafford County woman who advertised a 1 carat diamond engagement ring on Facebook Marketplace fell victim to an Internet scam.

In June, the woman contacted the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office to report the incident. She told the sheriff's office that a potential buyer promised payment if she shipped the ring overnight to an address in Miami, Florida. She shipped the ring but never received any payment.

The officer assigned to the case, Deputy B.A. Talbot, was able to track the ring to a company called Shop2Ship in Miami, the sheriff's office said Thursday. Working with the Miami Police Department, a hold was placed on the ring.

After many phone calls, Talbot was able to speak directly with an employee at Shop2Ship who located the ring in the company's warehouse and made arrangements to return it to the woman in Stafford.

The suspect Internet account was traced to Cambodia, according to the sheriff's office.

"Many times, the victim is never able to recover the property or money in this type of case," the sheriff's office said Thursday. "However, thanks to the tenacity of Deputy B.A. Talbot, the ring in this case was recovered."

The sheriff's office encourages Stafford County residents to take advantage of the Safe Exchange Zone at the Ford T. Humphrey Public Safety Building. The safe exchange zone, located in the parking lot at 1225 Courthouse Road, allows people to meet up with a stranger to buy or sell items.