Someone apparently accessed names and contact information for several members of the Georgia Republican Party recently and attempted to defraud them of money, according to a GOP member from Winterville who lost $2,500 in the scam.

The con artist posed as David Shafer, chairman of the Georgia Republican Party, according to an Athens-Clarke police report. Shafer was also a candidate for lieutenant governor in 2018, losing by a narrow margin to Geoff Duncan.

The con artist posing as Shafer asked the man to do him a favor as he was in a meeting and needed the victim to purchase gift cards and send him photos showing the PIN numbers.

The victim reported he purchased $2,500 in gift cards and sent the photos to the suspect.  The victim told police that he believes other people have also fallen victim to the scam and believes the scammer had gained access to Georgia Republican Party records.

Police are investigating the incident.

Online Athens