A 72-year-old Ohio woman had already sent money once after scammers threatened to ruin her reputation with a fake computer story. When they came back demanding more, she helped police set a trap.
The Celina Police Department said the woman reported the scam on June 20 after being contacted by someone who falsely claimed her computer had been compromised with illicit and sexually explicit material, according to Mercer County Outlook.
The caller threatened to expose the fabricated information and damage her reputation unless she paid money, police said.
After the initial payment, the suspects contacted her again and demanded more. This time, police said, she agreed to assist investigators in a sting operation called “Operation Money Trap.”
Police Arranged A Controlled Cash Exchange
On June 24, investigators arranged a controlled cash exchange for the suspect to collect the demanded funds. Police said the suspect changed the meeting location at the last minute, but investigators adjusted. The exchange and arrest were carried out at the Marathon gas station on North Main Street in Celina.
Anurgdeep Singh, 22, was arrested and taken to the Mercer County Jail.
Police said Singh was charged with theft under Ohio Revised Code 2913.02, a fourth-degree felony. Additional charges are expected pending review by Mercer County Prosecutor Erin Minor.
The Scam Used Fear Before The Cash Pickup
The setup described by police used two pressure points at once: a fake computer-compromise claim and a threat of public humiliation.
Investigators said the woman initially sent money after being threatened. When the suspects contacted her again for more, she reported the scam and helped law enforcement arrange the controlled exchange. The public release does not say how much money she initially paid.
Hometown Stations reported that Celina Police Chief Tom Wale thanked the victim for coming forward and cooperating with investigators, saying her actions may have helped prevent other senior citizens from becoming victims of similar scams.
Multiple Agencies Assisted Celina Police
Celina police said the operation was carried out with help from the FBI Northwest Ohio Safe Streets Task Force, Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office detectives, and the Grand Lake Task Force.
The department also thanked the victim, her neighbors, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, and the assisting agencies. The case remains under investigation, and police said additional charges are expected after prosecutors review the case.
No Real Computer Problem Is Fixed With A Cash Pickup
The FTC warns that tech-support scammers often scare people into believing something is wrong with their computer so they can steal money or personal information.
The FBI has also warned that scammers increasingly use couriers to collect cash or precious metals from older victims, including pickups at homes or public locations.
A caller who says a computer contains compromising, illegal, or embarrassing material and then demands payment is using fear as a tool. Anyone who gets that kind of call should stop communicating, contact local police, and talk to a trusted person before sending money or meeting anyone for a pickup.
Singh has been charged with theft, but the case is still pending. The charge remains an allegation unless proven in court.