Crime
Broward woman accused of repeatedly scamming elderly victims misses court hearing as investigators search for her
Fort Lauderdale, Florida – A Broward County woman accused of repeatedly targeting elderly people in a series of alleged scams failed to appear for a scheduled court hearing Thursday, prompting the Broward Sheriff’s Office to ask the public for help locating her.
Jamisha Sylvain, 27, was expected to appear in court Thursday morning. Investigators said she did not show up, and detectives are now looking for her as they continue investigating allegations that she exploited elderly victims.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office said Sylvain has been arrested multiple times and is accused of using different stories to gain access to homes and obtain money or financial information from elderly residents.
“So clearly this suspect has no shame and is out and doing this again. She is up to her old games, up to the same old ruse,” said BSO spokesperson Miranda Grossman.
According to investigators, Sylvain allegedly stole thousands of dollars from elderly victims while pretending to be a caregiver. In some cases, authorities said, she entered apartment communities where older residents lived and presented herself as someone who had a legitimate reason to be there.
Investigators said one alleged scheme involved Sylvain posing as a person who worked in the building. By gaining the confidence of residents, authorities allege, she was able to get inside their homes and access valuable financial information.
Sylvain also faced accusations dating back to late last year. Authorities said she accessed bank cards and financial information belonging to victims at an apartment community in Deerfield Beach.
The allegations were discussed during a court appearance in December 2025, when a prosecutor described a pattern in which the victims were allegedly targeted directly.
“In every single case, she gained entry to [the victims’] home under false pretenses, perpetrating a fraud, seeking to victimize them,” said a prosecutor during a December 2025 court appearance. “And she was targeting these individuals. In one case, she targeted a blind woman.”
Despite the previous arrests and allegations, investigators said the reported activity did not stop. Detectives said that after Sylvain was released on bond in the spring, she allegedly carried out similar scams at least two more times.
That has raised concerns among investigators, who say elderly residents can be particularly vulnerable when someone arrives at their home with a convincing story or claims to have a legitimate reason to ask for personal information.
“And she will keep doing it until she’s arrested again, and so, what we can do is try to let people know how to prevent this and how to be aware of these types of scams,” said Grossman.
Authorities are urging residents and family members to be cautious whenever someone asks for banking information, financial documents or access to a home. Officials say one of the simplest ways to avoid becoming a victim is to stop and verify the person’s identity before providing any information.
Investigators recommend checking with a trusted loved one before giving out banking details, even if the person making the request appears to have a legitimate reason for being there.
The case remains under investigation as detectives search for Sylvain following her missed court appearance. Authorities are asking anyone who may know where she is to contact the Broward Sheriff’s Office.
Officials urge anyone with information on Sylvain’s whereabouts, to call BSO at 954-764-4357.
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