Elderly man in Berkshires conned out of $420,000 after computer pop-up scheme

BOSTON (WWLP) - A suspect was arrested in connection with allegedly defrauding an elderly man from Berkshire County of approximately $420,000.

According to the Department of Justice, in or around June, a 75-year-old man received a pop-up message on his computer claiming that it was frozen and a phone number to call for assistance. The victim called the number, which he thought was Microsoft, and spoke with someone who called himself "Sam Wilson."

Wilson claimed to be a federal agent from the U.S. Treasury Department and said several houses had been purchased in the United States and Russia in the victim’s name. In order to protect the victim's money, Wilson allegedly told him that he should withdraw cash from his bank and send it to the Treasury Department, where it would be kept in a lock box until the victim was cleared of the scheme.

The victim was also allegedly told by Wilson that the bank would not let him withdraw all of his money at once, and instead make smaller withdrawal amounts and send it to Wilson at the “Treasury” in installments.

The Department of Justice said that the victim provided approximately $420,000 in cash on about five occasions over three months to a person he believed to be associated with “Sam Wilson.” Each time, the victim was instructed to put the cash in a taped box with his own name and address on it. The courier picked up the box outside the victim’s house and drove away. 

An investigation was conducted when the victim's sister reported the scheme to law enforcement. On Monday, an undercover officer posing as the victim waited outside to provide a box to the courier. Once the box was placed inside the vehicle, the suspect drove away. He was immediately taken into custody.

The suspect was identified as 21-year-old Urvishkumar Vipulkumar Patel of South Boston. He was arrested while driving a rental car and using while on a call using WhatsApp. Patel allegedly told police that he had been collecting packages for weeks at the direction of another individual in exchange for payment. He would then allegedly deliver packages to a prearranged location before receiving his payment.

Patel is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and released on conditions including GPS monitoring and orders that he remain in Massachusetts. If found guilty, he faces up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

If you or someone you know is a victim of cybercrime, including elder fraud scams, cryptocurrency scams, romance scams, investment scams, and business email compromise fraud scams, contact USAMA.CyberTip@usdoj.gov.