A 28-year-old Virginia man, Ankit Rajeshkumar Patel, has been arrested for allegedly scamming a Barberton woman out of over $130,000. The arrest took place after a coordinated effort between the Barberton Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service. Patel, who is from Newport News, Virginia, faces felony theft charges related to defrauding an elderly person.
According to Barberton Police, the scam occurred in April 2024 when the victim was convinced that her computer had been hacked and her financial accounts compromised. She was tricked into paying Patel, who is now identified as the primary suspect. Law enforcement agencies, including federal officials, tracked him to an address in Virginia where he was arrested under a warrant.
Judge Todd McKenney of the Barberton Municipal Court set Patel’s bond at $500,000 cash, and his preliminary hearing is scheduled for Tuesday. Authorities suspect Patel may be connected to similar incidents across the country.
Additionally, as Patel is not a U.S. citizen, an immigration detainer has been placed on him by the Department of Homeland Security. The investigation involves the FBI and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
