WHITEWATER, Wis. — A 25-year-old man from Illinois, Harshal Patel, was arrested in Whitewater, Wisconsin, for his alleged role in a multi-state financial theft ring that targeted elderly victims, according to the Whitewater Police Department.
The investigation began on June 16, when a local victim reported being contacted by someone posing as a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) agent. The suspect falsely claimed the victim’s bank account had been linked to sex and drug trafficking, urging them to withdraw and hand over money.
The scam escalated on June 26, when the suspect demanded $50,000 in cash, saying the victim’s account was again compromised. Patel was apprehended at the agreed pickup location, where he allegedly intended to collect the cash.
According to authorities, Patel is part of a larger organized theft operation that has spanned five states in the Midwest over the last two months, involving the theft of over $2.9 million in cash and precious metals. Victims were manipulated using fear-based tactics and impersonation of federal agents.
Patel was booked into Jefferson County Jail and faces charges of attempted theft. His criminal record suggests repeated involvement in similar scams across the region.
The case remains under active investigation, with assistance from the UW-Whitewater Police, Walworth County Sheriff’s Office, and multiple law enforcement agencies across state lines.
