A Pennsylvania man, Dipen Patel, has been accused of posing as a federal agent to scam an elderly couple out of more than $60,000. Patel, 51, was arrested after showing up at a Galloway Township home in New Jersey, where police were waiting to detain him.
The incident began when a woman called the Galloway police around 4 p.m. Tuesday, reporting that her parents had withdrawn a significant amount of money from their bank account at the instruction of someone claiming to be a federal agent. This imposter had told the elderly couple that multiple fraudulent bank accounts were opened using their Social Security number and urged them to withdraw and transfer their savings to him for safekeeping.
Working with the caller and her parents, Galloway police set up surveillance around the residence. About an hour later, a vehicle arrived at the victim’s home on East Ridgewood Avenue to retrieve what the fraudster believed to be more than $60,000 in cash. Police immediately arrested the driver, later identified as Dipen Patel, a resident of Bensalem, Pennsylvania.
“This case is another reminder of the ongoing elderly scams that occur daily across the country,” said Galloway Police Chief Richard Barber. “With help from the public, we were able to prevent this crime and protect both this victim and potential future victims.” Patel was taken to the Galloway Township Police Department for further questioning and was released on a summons pending several search warrants related to the ongoing investigation. He faces a charge of third-degree theft by unlawful taking.
The Galloway Township Police Department commended the victims for recognizing the scam and quickly contacting authorities. The police emphasized that senior citizens are frequently targeted in scams, often through phone calls, and reminded the public that legitimate law enforcement agencies will never ask for cash payments over the phone.
