Major Case Bureau Detectives report the arrest of two males on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at 5:50 pm for an “Elder Scam” incident that occurred in Westbury.
According to Fraud and Forgery Detectives, a 76-year-old female victim received a phone call on Friday, May 19, 2023 from an unknown male claiming to work for a computer security company. The subject advised that her computer had been compromised and she needed to secure her finances. He recommended that she transfer money out of her account and purchase gold with her savings. The victim then purchased $194,152 worth of gold bars. The subject arranged a meeting and informed the victim that federal employees would arrive to obtain the gold bars for safe keeping. The subjects (not yet apprehended) then removed the gold bars upon arrival.
The victim was contacted again on Friday, May 26, 2023 and purchased 3 additional gold bars, valued at $191,836. The subject advised her to place the gold bars in a box under a tree in front of her house for agents who would arrive and secure the gold. The victim became suspicious and contacted the police.
Subsequent to the investigation, Fraud and Forgery Detectives, coordinating with the Bureau of Special Operations (BSO) and 3rd Squad Detectives, arrested Arpit Dineshbhai Patel, 38, of 2517 Dunksferry Road, Apt. C205, Bensalem, Pennsylvania and Hitesh Jashbhai Patel, 49, of 725 New York Avenue, Apt. 3, Jersey City, New Jersey, without incident.
Both defendants are charged with Attempted Grand Larceny 2nd Degree and were arraigned on Thursday, June 1, 2023 at First District Court, 99 Main Street, Hempstead.