Two Elizabethtown residents have been jailed after allegedly scamming an 80-year-old man out of hundreds of dollars.

Elizabethtown Police Chief Bobby Kinlaw said Suyen Michelle Scott, 36, and Sanker Purdie, 62, both of 55 Truman Drive, Elizabethtown, were arrested around 3:30 a.m. Saturday on charges of felony obtaining property by false pretenses. The couple may face additional charges.

Scott and Purdie allegedly befriended Ardry Henry White, 80, over the summer, Kinlaw said. The couple allegedly bilked hundreds of dollars from White, claiming they needed the money to pay fees on wire transfers. In exchange for the cash, Kinlaw said, White was promised a portion of the wire transfer amounts.

"In some cases we're talking about large amounts of money," Kinlaw said. "In exchange for $295 and the use of the victim's identification, he was supposed to get $5,000."

The couple never paid the promised amounts, Kinlaw said. White reported the thefts Oct. 22, and told police the crimes extended back to August.

"It's a classic case of thinking you can get something for nothing," Kinlaw said. "People take advantage of senior citizens because sometimes they seem weak or naďve."

The initial report on the case was taken by Patrolman Charles Hill. The case was investigated by Lt. Dwayne Cheshire. Patrolmen Winfort Nichols and Michael Moore took the couple into custody.

The investigation is continuing.

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