Scammer convinces elderly Georgia couple to withdraw savings, but family foils plot

NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT

Gray, GA, March 30, 2025– Bhargav Patel, a resident of South Carolina, has been arrested and extradited to Georgia after he attempted to scam an elderly Jones County couple out of their savings, the Jones County Sheriff’s Office announced.

According to investigators, the couple was contacted earlier this month week by a scammer who convinced them that their money was not safe in their bank account. The scammer instructed them to withdraw their funds, claiming that a courier would arrive to collect the cash for safekeeping.

Family members grew suspicious and intervened when the courier arrived, chasing him away and recording his vehicle’s license plate. This led investigators to identify the suspect as Patel.

With assistance from the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, Patel was taken into custody and charged with Exploitation of the Elderly, Criminal Attempt to Commit Theft by Taking, and Criminal Attempt to Commit Theft by Deception. He was later extradited to Georgia and remains in custody at the Jones County Jail.

The sheriff’s office continues to warn residents about scams targeting vulnerable individuals and urges the community to report any suspicious activity.

Jones County is located in central Georgia, with its county seat in the city of Gray. Gray is situated approximately 12 miles northeast of Macon. The county encompasses several communities, including the unincorporated areas of Bradley, Clinton, Fortville, Haddock, Round Oak, and Wayside.

Photo credit: Jones County Sheriff’s Department.