Greensboro, NC — On May 1, 2025, 21-year-old Indian national Kishan Kumar Singh was arrested in Guilford County, North Carolina, for allegedly attempting to defraud a 78-year-old woman by posing as a federal agent.
Singh, residing near Cincinnati, Ohio, on a student visa since 2024, is accused of instructing the victim to withdraw approximately $34,000 under the pretense that her bank accounts were compromised. He was apprehended when he arrived at her residence to collect the funds.
Key Facts:
-
Singh allegedly contacted the elderly woman, claiming her bank accounts were linked to criminal activity, and directed her to withdraw $34,000 for "safekeeping."
-
He was arrested on May 1, 2025, when he arrived at the victim's home in Stokesdale, NC, to collect the money.
-
Singh faces felony charges, including attempting to obtain property by false pretenses and exploitation of an elder adult, and is held on a $1 million bond.
The Guilford County Sheriff's Office reported that the victim received multiple calls from individuals claiming to be law enforcement officers, who pressured her into withdrawing a large sum of money. Deputies were present at the victim's residence when Singh arrived to collect the package, leading to his immediate arrest. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities examining whether Singh acted alone or as part of a larger network.
This incident is part of a broader trend of scams targeting elderly individuals in the United States. In recent weeks, two other Indian students were arrested in El Paso County for similar offenses involving impersonation of government officials to defraud seniors. The FBI has issued warnings about such scams, emphasizing that legitimate agencies will never request cash or personal information over the phone..
Singh's arrest has raised concerns within the Indian-American community, particularly among students and professionals on visas, about the potential repercussions of such incidents on the broader diaspora's reputation. Community leaders are advocating for increased awareness and education to prevent individuals from falling victim to or participating in such fraudulent activities.
Do You Know?
The FBI has reported a significant increase in scams targeting the elderly, with losses exceeding $1 billion annually. Common tactics include impersonating government officials and creating a sense of urgency to elicit quick compliance from victims.
Key Terms:
-
Impersonation Scam: A fraudulent act where an individual pretends to be someone else, often a government official, to deceive victims.
-
False Pretenses: A legal term referring to the intentional misrepresentation of a fact to obtain property or money.
-
Exploitation of an Elder Adult: Illegal or improper use of an elderly person's resources for personal benefit.