Share and Follow
**Related Video Above: Law enforcement impersonation scam
TOLEDO, Ohio (WJW) – In a disturbing case that highlights the vulnerability of the elderly to scams, two men from Toledo have been indicted by a federal grand jury. The Department of Justice announced that the pair is accused of orchestrating a scheme targeting seniors to deprive them of their savings.
The accused, who are based in Toledo, allegedly traveled extensively across four states. Their aim was to collect cash and gold bars from senior citizens who had been misled into believing they were in communication with officials from various reputable organizations, including their own banks, the FBI, the Social Security Administration, and the Federal Trade Commission.
According to the Department of Justice, 31-year-old Tejas Patel, a resident of Toledo, and 22-year-old Navya Bhatt, an Indian national on an F1 visa studying at the University of Toledo, allegedly employed fear-inducing tactics to convince their victims to withdraw funds from their retirement accounts.
The two men, based in Toledo, reportedly drove miles and miles to four states to collect cash and gold bars from senior citizens who believed they were being contacted by officials from their bank, the FBI, the Social Security Administration or the Federal Trade Commission.
The DOJ alleges 31-year-old Tejas Patel, a Toledo resident, and 22-year-old Navya Bhatt, an Indian citizen who has an F1 visa to study at the University of Toledo, would use scare tactics to persuade their victims to hand over money from their retirement accounts.
Once convinced, the two men would show up impersonating federal agents or bank officials and take the funds directly. Victims included people living in Toledo, Hudson, Sylvania and Columbus, as well as in Pennsylvania, Indiana and Michigan.
-
U.S. v. Patel et al., case # 3:26cr84 -
U.S. v. Patel et al., case # 3:26cr84
The two were charged with the following, according to the DOJ:
- Money Laundering Conspiracy,
- Concealment Money Laundering
- Promotion Money Laundering
The accused could receive up to 20 years in prison if convicted. In the meantime, the FBI is continuing an investigation into the scheme.