Two Georgia residents were taken into custody in Kentucky after authorities allege they orchestrated a scam that defrauded an 83-year-old woman of over $80,000.
Amit Patel, 37, and Dishaben Patel, 29, both from Dalton, were arrested on March 19th by Monticello Police. The charges filed against them include theft by deception, exploitation of an adult, and participation in organized crime.
According to police reports, the victim contacted authorities after her computer froze on March 12 and a message prompted her to call a phone number. Upon calling, she was connected with a man and a woman who claimed to be representatives of the Federal Trade Commission. The callers allegedly informed her that her computer had been compromised and urged her to pay a large sum of money to resolve the issue.
Investigators say the woman was instructed to cash out a certificate of deposit for $52,000, place the cash in a shoebox, and send a photograph of the box and banking slip to the callers. A man later arrived at her residence to collect the box.
On March 17th, the woman reportedly followed the same instructions to hand over another $32,000. A third payment of $50,000 was arranged for March 19th.
Following the final exchange, police conducted a traffic stop of a 2021 Honda van at the intersection of Castle and Elk Street. Inside, officers found a sealed shoebox and arrested the two suspects.
Both individuals were transported to the Wayne County Detention Center. They are facing multiple felony charges, including conspiring to commit theft involving more than $10,000 and exploiting an adult for financial gain.
The case remains under investigation.
