PUTNAM COUNTY, Tenn. — A Nashville man, Tulasi Ram Timsina, has been arrested for his role in a fraud scheme that cost two Putnam County residents over the age of 70 more than $268,000, according to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators said the scheme began in September 2025, when one of the victims received a fraudulent pop-up alert appearing to come from Microsoft. The alert instructed her to call a phone number, where scammers claimed her computer had been compromised.
Authorities say the victim was then directed to call the customer service number on the back of her debit card. A scammer spoofed the bank’s number, pretending to be a bank employee, and falsely claimed the victims’ accounts were under federal investigation for child pornography allegedly found on their computers. The victims were warned not to tell anyone.
Following these instructions, the victims were convinced to withdraw large sums of money and convert it into Bitcoin and physical gold to “protect” their retirement savings. As part of the scam, the victims purchased gold coins, which were later picked up from their home by an unknown man.
The victim’s husband photographed the man and his vehicle during one pickup. Investigators used this evidence to identify Tulasi Ram Timsina of Nashville.
Deputies arrested Timsina on Dec. 10 on a charge of financial exploitation of an elderly adult. His bond was set at $200,000, and he is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 12, 2026.
Authorities continue to investigate the full scope of the scam, highlighting ongoing risks of tech-support and investment schemes targeting seniors.
