JONES COUNTY, Ga. — A South Carolina man was apprehended in Jones County after attempting to steal an elderly couple’s life savings, according to the Jones County Sheriff’s Office.
The suspect, identified as Bhargav Patel, nearly succeeded in taking a “considerable amount” of money from the victims before the couple’s family intervened, as reported by Jones County Sheriff Butch Reese.
Sheriff Reese highlighted the unusual nature of this case, as it led to an arrest. “Fraud cases like this are some of the most significant crimes we deal with,” he said. “Every day, we encounter individuals affected by some form of fraud.”
According to the sheriff’s office, the elderly couple was initially contacted by a scammer who convinced them their bank accounts were unsafe. Following the scammer’s advice, the couple withdrew their savings, and the scammer promised that a courier would arrive to pick up the funds for “safekeeping.”
However, the couple’s family grew suspicious and managed to chase away the supposed courier. They also recorded the vehicle’s license plate number, which led investigators to Patel. With the assistance of the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, Patel was eventually arrested and charged with exploitation of the elderly and two counts of criminal attempt to commit theft.
Authorities are still investigating whether Patel operated alone or was part of a larger criminal group, using bank records and other investigative methods to uncover more details.
Sheriff Reese stressed the importance of caution when receiving unsolicited phone calls, particularly from individuals claiming to represent official organizations. He noted that many scammers impersonate government agencies, which would rarely contact individuals via phone.
“Scammers can be very convincing and often have access to a lot of personal information,” said Sheriff Reese. “Most government and business entities do not operate over the phone.”
As the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns, scammers often impersonate familiar organizations like banks, utility companies, or government offices. They may use technology to make their phone numbers appear legitimate, tricking people into thinking they’re receiving calls from trusted sources.
A similar scam occurred in Bibb County in July, where residents received calls that appeared to come from the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, warning of supposed debts or warrants.
The FTC advises that when in doubt, it’s best to contact the organization directly to verify any claims. Scammers may also pretend that you’ve won a prize or threaten legal action to pressure victims into taking immediate action.
Another clear sign of a scam is when the caller requests money through unconventional methods, such as cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfers. These red flags should be a warning to hang up and confirm the situation with the real organization before proceeding with any actions.
