Sheriff’s deputies in Santa Barbara County arrested two 21-year-old men on Tuesday, after stepping into the middle of an alleged courier scam that had already drained $25,000 from an elderly resident and was angling for another $25,000. Investigators say the victim was told her Social Security number and other personal details had been compromised, then pressured to pull out large amounts of cash to “protect” her accounts. Deputies contacted the suspects when they showed up to grab the second bundle of money and booked them on felony charges.
How Deputies Caught the Second Pickup
Deputies were dispatched at about 11:30 a.m. on February 24 after the victim reported that she had handed $25,000 in cash to a courier the previous night, then received a fresh call insisting she pay another $25,000. The caller, posing as a federal official, allegedly told her to cooperate with what she believed was an undercover agent or marshal and to turn over the cash as part of a supposed investigation. In a news release from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, officials said deputies moved in, contacted the suspects when they arrived for the second payment, and arrested both at the scene.
Who Was Arrested and What They Are Charged With
Authorities identified the two arrested men as 21-year-old Khushal Singh of Tracy and 21-year-old Guprakash Singh of Sacramento. Both were booked on felony counts that include false personation, attempted grand theft, attempted financial elder abuse, and conspiracy to commit a crime. Bail was set at $50,000 for each defendant. According to reporting by the Santa Barbara Independent, both men pleaded not guilty in Santa Barbara County Superior Court on Feb. 26.
Why Government-Impersonation Scams Keep Working
Scammers who pretend to be from government agencies or law enforcement often lean on fear and urgency, threatening arrest, account freezes, or other fallout to push victims into fast decisions. They may demand payment in cash, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or arrange courier pickups so the money is harder to trace. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center has reported a rise in elder fraud complaints and billions of dollars in losses in recent years, noting that government-impersonation and courier-style schemes are among the tools frequently used against older adults. Consumer advocates also warn that any request to move money, buy gift cards, or hand over cash to a stranger is a bright-red scam flag and urge people to independently verify any such claim before acting. For more background on the trend, the FBI’s elder-fraud materials and the FTC’s consumer guidance both spell out how these cons typically unfold.
What Officials Want Residents to Do
The sheriff’s office is stressing that legitimate government agencies do not demand payment in cash, cryptocurrency, or gift cards, and they do not send couriers to a doorstep to collect money. Anyone who receives an unsolicited call demanding immediate payment is urged to hang up, contact local law enforcement directly, and, in the case of older adults, loop in family members or trusted helpers before sending money. If you suspect you or someone you know has been targeted or victimized, officials urge you to report it as quickly as possible so investigators have a better chance of tracing funds and identifying the wider fraud network. According to the sheriff’s release, the same warning and contact guidance are being shared with the community.
Resources and How to Report Suspected Scams…