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Vamshihar Katikreddy, 25, was arrested on Tuesday, Apr. 2, the Egg Harbor Township Police Department said in a news release. He was charged with theft by deception, impersonation of a law enforcement officer, and conspiracy.
Egg Harbor Township police responded to a home in the Harbor Woods neighborhood at around 5 p.m. after a woman reported her parents in their 80s were scammed out of $20,000. The scammer claimed to be from the FBI and he was coming to their home to collect the cash.
A vehicle outside the home pulled away when officers arrived. The victims said the scammer was inside that vehicle.
Katikreddy was driving the vehicle and was pulled over by an officer. Police said Katikreddy "repeatedly changed his reasoning for why he was in the area" and investigators found he isn't a U.S. citizen.
Katikreddy was brought to the Atlantic County Justice Facility. He was released on bail on Wednesday, Apr. 3.
Police also said this incident is an opportunity to warn your loved ones about scams.
"Legitimate law enforcement agencies will never ask for anyone to provide large sums of cash for any reason," Egg Harbor Township police said in their news release. "With more personal information and banking being held online, be sure to not provide remote access to your network or cell phone.
"Emails from what appear to be legitimate companies may not be legitimate. Do not ever click on a link from an unsolicited email."
You can click here to learn more about reporting elder fraud to the state.
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