GATLINBURG, Tenn. — The city of Gatlinburg announced Thursday that authorities arrested a man from British Columbia in Canada on charges of fraud, theft and financial exploitation of an adult on August 27.

The investigation began on August 25 when the Gatlinburg Police Department received a report of possible internet fraud. An elderly victim was contacted via Facebook in early July and was persuaded to invest an initial $2,000 in what was presented as a legitimate investment opportunity.

During an in-person meeting on July 21, the elderly victim gave people who identified themselves as communications staff of the purported investment firm another $200,000 in cash.

Over time, the victim’s investment was said to have reached $1.3 million. However, when the victim attempted to withdraw th

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