A 91-year-old California resident handed over $25,000 after callers posing as Apple Support and the Federal Trade Commission claimed the resident’s bank account was compromised.
When the scammers tried again the next day, a bank branch manager recognized the warning signs and helped prevent another loss.
The Madera County Sheriff’s Office identified the two men arrested in the investigation as Inderjeet Singh, 23, and Anuroop Singh, 26, both of Fresno.
The department’s announcement described a November 6 search that recovered cash and clothing believed to be connected to the collection.
A Fake Account Warning Led to a Cash Handoff
The initial scam occurred November 3, according to the sheriff’s statement published by Sierra Sun Times. The callers instructed the resident to withdraw cash and give it to two men, supposedly so the money could be transferred into a “secure account.”
Detectives Recovered $5,000 and Clothing During a Fresno Search
Detectives executed a search warrant at the suspects’ Fresno home on November 6. Deputies recovered $5,000 and clothing believed to have been worn by the people who collected the victim’s money.
The sheriff’s announcement said both men were booked on four felony allegations: theft by false pretenses under Penal Code §532(a), financial abuse of an elder or dependent adult under §368(d), grand theft under §487(a), and conspiracy under §182(a)(1).
November 10 entries in Inderjeet Singh’s jail record and Anuroop Singh’s jail record mark both the conspiracy entry and a separate false-financial-statements entry under Penal Code §532a as “DA DID NOT FILE.” Section 532a is distinct from §532(a), the theft-by-false-pretenses provision identified in the sheriff’s announcement. The elder-related and grand-theft entries remained listed in both records.
Both men were listed as being in custody in the county’s November 11 inmate search. They are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Verify an Account Warning Before Withdrawing Cash
The Federal Trade Commission warns that instructions to move money into a supposedly safe account are a scam. Real FTC employees will not tell people to withdraw cash and hand it to someone to protect their savings.
End the conversation and contact the bank through its official app, website or a phone number on an account statement. Use contact information you find independently, rather than a number supplied by the caller or an unexpected security message.
The FTC also identifies instructions to stay on the phone during a withdrawal or lie about its purpose as warning signs. Explain the request to a bank employee or someone you trust before handing over money, and report suspected impersonation scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.