NEVADA COUNTY, CA — Rushabh Rajesh Desai, 35, of San Jose, was arrested on June 20, 2025, by the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) for his role in an attempted $30,000 scam targeting a 75-year-old woman.
At approximately 3:40 p.m., the Nevada County Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 call about a phone scam in progress. The caller, a concerned friend of the potential victim, reported that her 75-year-old friend had withdrawn $30,000 from the bank and was on the phone with a suspected scammer. She also stated someone was en route to collect the money.
Deputies quickly responded and located a vehicle matching the suspect description parked on the shoulder of Highway 49 in Auburn, near the victim’s residence. The driver, later identified as Rushabh Desai, was the sole occupant.
Following an investigation, deputies established probable cause and arrested Desai on multiple charges:
Conspiracy to Commit a Crime (182(a)(1) PC)
Attempting to Obtain Money by False Pretenses (532(a) PC)
Theft from an Elder (368(d) PC)
This incident is not the first scam stopped by NCSO. In September 2024, deputies prevented another $32,000 scam targeting an elderly resident in Grass Valley.
“Scams are very common, and unfortunately, many go unreported as victims feel embarrassed or ashamed,” said NCSO Captain Rusty Greene. “We encourage anyone who suspects a scam to contact law enforcement or involve a trusted friend or family member, just like in this case.”
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities commend the quick thinking of the friend who made the call.
