An Indian national, who had been living in California, was apprehended in Chenango County on Monday on felony charges connected to an investigation into an alleged fraud scheme, in which a victim was defrauded of $200,000, as per the New York State Police.
Who is Tushar Sharma? Charges filed against Indian national in scam case
Tushar Sharma, 23, from India, was taken into custody on Wednesday, April 1. He is facing several charges, which include Grand Larceny in the second degree -classified as a class C felony, scheme to defraud in the first degree, classified as a class E felony and conspiracy in the fourth degree, classified as a class E felony.
Sharma’s arrest followed the initiation of a fraud probe concerning a scheme in which the victim suffered a loss exceeding $200,000.
What we know about the scam allegedly involving Tushar Sharma
This incident is part of an increase in a specific scam where individuals are falsely informed that they are “wanted on a warrant” and must pay money immediately to prevent arrest.
{{/usCountry}}This incident is part of an increase in a specific scam where individuals are falsely informed that they are “wanted on a warrant” and must pay money immediately to prevent arrest.
{{/usCountry}}The scammers typically reach out to victims via phone, text, or email, often posing as law enforcement, court officials, or government agencies, according to troopers, as per WBNG. They assert that the victim owes fines or has an active arrest warrant, coercing the victim into making payments through various methods. However, law enforcement never requests payment over the phone or demand money.
In the case involving Sharma, the victim reported receiving a phone call from someone claiming to represent the Department of Homeland Security. The caller falsely alleged that there was a warrant for the victim's arrest concerning money laundering and narcotics trafficking.
The victim was instructed to withdraw a significant amount of cash and package it in a specific manner before delivering it to a designated location in the Bainbridge area. The victim was advised not to inform anyone and subsequently handed over two large sums of cash on two separate occasions.
On Wednesday, the victim was instructed to meet an individual who was purported to be a law enforcement officer, who would collect additional funds at a location in Bainbridge, according to troopers. This would have marked the third occasion involving an amount exceeding $100,000.
The victim surrendered the cash to Sharma, at which point troopers intervened and took him into custody. The money was successfully recovered.
Sharma is set to appear in the Bainbridge Town Court
Sharma was identified and processed before being taken to the Chenango County Jail and subsequently released. He was ordered to remain within New York State and is scheduled to appear in the Bainbridge Town Court on April 20, as stated by troopers.