SPRINGFIELD — The FBI has arrested a Boston man, Urvishkumar Vipulkumar Patel, in connection with a scam that defrauded a 75-year-old North Adams man of over $400,000.
According to a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Springfield by FBI Special Agent Christopher Barbadoro, the victim made five payments to different couriers visiting his home between June and September. The scam came to light when a family member alerted authorities after discovering the situation.
The fraud began in June when the victim received a pop-up message claiming his computer was frozen, along with a phone number to call. Believing he was contacting Microsoft, the victim was instead connected to someone posing as a federal agent named “Sam Wilson.” This impersonator falsely informed the victim that he was implicated in a money laundering scheme, stating that properties had been purchased in his name in both the U.S. and Russia.
“Wilson” urged the victim to withdraw money from his bank to protect it until the matter was resolved, claiming it would be kept safe in a Treasury Department “lock box.”
On October 1, the victim’s sister contacted the FBI after learning that he had already lost approximately $420,000. Agents subsequently arranged a sting operation at the victim’s home.
An undercover agent posed as the victim and handed Patel a package containing counterfeit money while asking if “this payment would finally clear” him. Patel confirmed it would, leading to his arrest shortly thereafter during a traffic stop.
During questioning, Patel claimed he was being blackmailed to participate in the scam and had been hired by an unidentified person to collect packages in exchange for a portion of the proceeds.
Patel, 21, faces one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court on October 8. He was released from custody on the condition that he remains in the state, submits to monitoring by probation, and informs his family about the federal case against him.
The FBI continues to investigate the scam and has not announced any further arrests. The Berkshire District Attorney’s Office has previously issued guidance on identifying and avoiding scams, emphasizing that federal agencies will not request money over the phone or send couriers for cash pickups.
Residents unsure about a potential scam are advised to hang up and call the agency’s publicly listed number for verification. The FBI encourages anyone who believes they or someone they know has fallen victim to scams—including elder fraud, cryptocurrency fraud, and investment scams—to reach out to USAMA.CyberTip@usdoj.gov.
For immediate assistance, the National Elder Fraud Hotline is available at 833–FRAUD–11 or 833–372–8311, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.