💰 Criminal Steals $2.1 Million From Seniors By Posing As Federal Agent

WEEKLY SCAM ALERTS
Week of May 25

• Tech Scams Targeting Seniors To Be Aware Of

• Online Scams May Already Be As Big A Scourge As Illegal Drugs

• Medicare Medical Identity Scam Warning

SENIOR SCAM NEWS
Criminal Behind $2.1 Million Senior Scam Brought Down

This week’s scam spotlight reveals just how far criminals will go to steal from older Americans—and how law enforcement is striking back. A man from New York has pleaded guilty to a massive elder fraud scheme, after scamming over $2.1 million from victims across the U.S., including right here in Delaware.

His strategy? Fear, impersonation, and gold bars.

Let’s break down what happened—and what every senior and family should know to avoid becoming the next victim.

The Setup: Impersonating Federal Agents

Between May 2023 and May 2024, criminals used the phone to scam elderly Americans with a terrifying lie: their identity had been compromised and they were the subject of a federal investigation.

Victims were told that the only way to “cooperate” with the investigation was to liquidate their life savings—and convert their money into cash or gold bars. Then, to make the scam feel legitimate, they were directed to deliver the assets in person to someone posing as a federal agent.

Enter Rakeshkumar Patel, a 36-year-old man from Flushing, New York, who played the role of “courier” in this elaborate con. Victims across Delaware and other states were told to hand over their gold and cash to him directly, either at their home or in a public place.

One Delaware woman in Millsboro was tricked into doing just that. In her case, the scam started in October 2023 and continued for months. It wasn’t until February 2024 that she contacted the Delaware State Police, setting off a coordinated investigation with the FBI.

The Arrest and Guilty Plea

After months of investigation and surveillance, Patel was arrested on May 20, 2024 near Millsboro. He was charged with felony theft and held on a $103,000 cash bond.

But the story doesn’t end there.

In a separate federal case, Acting U.S. Attorney Shannon T. Hanson announced that Patel has now pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy in his role in a scam ring that stole at least $2,154,889 from elderly victims across the country.

Patel faces over five years in federal prison. His sentencing will be determined later by U.S. District Judge Richard G. Andrews.

Law Enforcement Speaks Out

Their message is clear: if you’ve been targeted, report it—and know that law enforcement is working hard to bring these criminals to justice.

How to Spot and Stop These Scams

Here’s what to watch for:

🚫 No real federal agent will ever ask you to withdraw money or convert it to gold.
🚨 Be wary of anyone claiming you’re under investigation or demanding “cooperation” involving financial transactions.
📞 Hang up and call a trusted law enforcement number—don’t rely on caller ID or numbers they give you.
👥 Talk to your family or a trusted friend before making any major financial moves. Scammers thrive in secrecy.

What To Do If You’re Targeted

If you or someone you love is 60+ and may have been a victim of financial fraud:

📞 Call the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311)
💻 Report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov

Try to gather:

• Names, phone numbers, and emails used by the scammers

• Dates and dollar amounts of transactions

• Bank accounts or metal dealer details, if applicable

Final Word: Stay Strong, Stay Informed

Scammers like Patel are persuasive, professional, and dangerous. But knowledge is power—and every newsletter, like this one, helps strengthen our community.

Let’s keep each other informed and safe.

Until next week—stay alert, stay strong.