Suspect accused of catfishing man, forcing him to send $500 per day

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Covington man was arrested after police say he conducted a catfishing scheme where he threatened a man into giving him daily payments of $500.

On July 4, around 11 p.m., officers with the Covington Police Department were flagged down by a man who told them he was involved in a relationship with a woman he met on Facebook.

He said he was in Covington for a date with the woman, who according to her Facebook profile, goes by the name “Ariel.”

The man advised police that he went to the Sunrise Apartments at 1150 Simonton Street to pick her up to celebrate the 4th of July together. But, when he got to the apartment complex, a man wearing all black jumped into his car and pulled out a gun.

Police say the suspect told the victim to send $500 to his Apple Pay, and the victim complied with the request. The suspect then got out of the car and ran off.

After the initial incident, the victim told police the suspect continued to stay in contact with him, demanding that he send $500 to his Apple Pay each day. He also allegedly sent pictures of the victim’s home and told him that if he did not comply, he would seriously hurt him.

Detectives with the CPD identified the suspect as Demarieo Howard, 27, and pinpointed his location.

On July 12, the CPD made contact with Howard. While talking with him, reports say they called the phone number connected to the catfishing incident and his phone began to ring.

Howard was arrested and charged with aggravated robbery, theft under $1,000, and aggravated assault with no injury. He is being held on a $150,000 bond.

“This scam did not work out for the suspects involved in this violent incident. The victim did the
right thing and immediately notified the authorities. This quick notification provided a chance
for detectives to identify this coward hiding behind a false identity and robbing our victim. We
are thankful our victim was not injured in the incident,” said Chief Donna Turner. “We continue
to caution people who agree to meet someone in unfamiliar areas under nontraditional
conditions. Meet new friends and people in public places or safe spaces where the chances of
becoming a victim are reduced to help ensure everyone’s safety.”

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