A woman from Daytona Beach was taken into custody on Wednesday for allegedly stealing over one million dollars from a local insurance company.
The investigation into Samantha Rae Link, a 30-year-old, was initiated by the Ormond Beach Police Department in July after Security First Insurance representatives reported suspicious activities in the company’s account.
The President and Chief Financial Officer of the company stated that a significant sum had been transferred to an unauthorized and questionable account.
Subsequent investigation tied this account to Link, who had been employed as an accountant at the company. Further examination revealed additional bank accounts used by Link to move funds from the company to herself.
With her role as the company’s accountant, authorities assert that Link had the capability to manipulate beneficiary account details, thus diverting funds to her personal Wells Fargo Bank account.
Between January 2022 and July 2023, Link is accused of carrying out 34 fraudulent transactions, amounting to $1,474,564 in total.
Link was dismissed from her position after the company became aware of the misappropriated funds.
In collaboration with the Seventh Circuit State Attorney’s Office, the Ormond Beach Police apprehended Link on charges of grand theft exceeding $100,000 and orchestrating an organized scheme to defraud totaling over $50,000. She is currently held at Volusia County Jail under a combined bond of $650,000.
Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey commended the teamwork and professionalism exhibited by investigators and prosecutors in a statement, emphasizing their commitment to ensuring that wrongdoers are held accountable.
