A 24-year-old woman is in handcuffs after allegedly posing as a law enforcement officer in a scam that fleeced Mississippi victims of thousands of dollars, according to Harrison County Sheriff Matt Haley.

Sharontay Rice,24, of Savannah, Georgia, faces two felony charges of false pretense in connection with the case.

The investigation, spearheaded by the Harrison County Criminal Investigation Division, was prompted by a string of phone scams masquerading as official law enforcement demands for payment to avert arrest.

Victims fell prey to the ruse and were hoodwinked out of a collective sum of approximately $28,000.

Thursday saw a breakthrough in the case. Two reports surfaced of victims encountering the suspect at the Biloxi Courthouse, prompting swift action from investigators.

Authorities traced the suspect’s whereabouts, leading to Rice’s apprehension.

A subsequent search of Rice’s hotel room yielded a recovery of $28,000.

Rice is now behind bars at the Harrison County Adult Detention Center pending her initial appearance before Justice Court Judge B. Ladner.

Sheriff Haley warned the public, emphasizing that no legitimate law enforcement officer would demand money in such a manner and urged anyone receiving suspicious calls to report them to the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office promptly.