PORT ANGELES, WA — Clallam County Sheriff’s detectives have arrested Pralay Kumar Kar, the second suspect in a sophisticated fraud scheme that scammed a 71-year-old Sequim resident out of $125,000.
Detectives apprehended Kar in Bothell, WA, on March 21, 2025, following an extensive investigation. His arrest comes just over a week after authorities captured Alla Mashkova in Tacoma on March 12 during a sting operation.
Details of the Scam
The victim was first contacted by a scammer posing as an Amazon fraud investigator, who then transferred her call to another fraudster pretending to be a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) agent. The scammers falsely claimed she was under investigation for money laundering and convinced her to withdraw large sums of cash to hand over to a supposed federal agent.
Fearful of legal consequences, the 71-year-old victim complied, making three separate cash payments before a bank manager intervened and alerted authorities.
Sting Operation and Arrests
Once detectives were involved, they worked with the victim to set up a sting operation. Mashkova was arrested when she arrived to collect another fraudulent payment on March 12.
Further investigation led detectives to Bothell, WA, where they arrested Kar on March 21. Authorities seized 80 cell phones and nine computers, underscoring the complexity of the scam.
Ongoing Investigation
Clallam County Undersheriff Lorraine Shore confirmed that detectives are still investigating the case and working to identify additional suspects connected to the fraud operation.
Law enforcement urges the public to remain cautious of scams involving fake law enforcement or financial institutions and to report suspicious activity immediately.
