(Lawrenceville, Ga., 8/15/25) – A Texas woman pled guilty to cheating a Buford couple out of their savings in an elaborate 2024 banking scam.

Audrey Michelle Townsend, 26, pled guilty to theft by taking over $25,000 and to four counts of elder abuse and exploitation for misleading Gloria and Gary Moss to provide banking information and transferring their money to a bank account she controlled. Townsend was sentenced to 20 years, with five to serve in prison and the remaining balance to serve on probation.

“Unscrupulous people like this defendant are looking to take advantage of vulnerable members of our community,” District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said. “This can happen to any of us, but it is especially egregious that she targeted a senior couple. We are pleased with this outcome and especially proud that the victims were made whole.”

In February 2024, Gloria Moss received a text purporting to be from Chase Bank indicating that there had been fraud associated with the couple’s account. When Mrs. Moss contacted the number, she was prompted to provide information verifying that it was her account. Although the information she provided did not include her social security number, it enabled the caller to access the account and make three transactions, transferring a total of $49,000 to an unknown account with a different bank. The Cypress, Texas, account that the funds went to belonged to Defendant Townsend.

Mrs. Moss called her bank to report the theft, but the bank determined that Mrs. Moss authorized the transfer and refused to return the money. Moss contacted the District Attorney’s Office, and DA’s staff in conjunction with the Gwinnett County Police Department began to subpoena bank records and investigate the fraud. Moss also contacted Fox 5 Atlanta’s I-Team, which broadcast several TV news stories about the scam.

With media attention and a criminal investigation underway, Chase Bank in July 2024 returned the full amount of the lost money to the Moss’s.

During the sentencing hearing, Mr. and Mrs. Moss expressed forgiveness for Townsend.

“We advise everyone to be vigilant when they receive contact from familiar and unfamiliar sources regarding important matters like their finances and other personal information,” DA Austin-Gatson said. “Ensure that it is your bank by hanging up and calling your bank directly. Don’t hesitate to reach out to authorities if you believe you may be the victim of fraud or exploitation.”

Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney John Williams prosecuted the case with assistance from DA’s Forensic Investigator Tony Scarborough and Victim Witness Advocate Sara Gardner. The Gwinnett County Police Department provided invaluable assistance in prosecuting this case.