WHITEWATER – An Illinois man was arrested in Whitewater on Friday for alleged involvement in a complex financial theft ring, according to the Whitewater Police Department.
On June 16, Whitewater police received their first complaint from a victim of a financial scam. The victim claimed that the suspect called them and said their bank accounts had been compromised. The suspect falsely claimed that the victim’s account was involved in sex and drug trafficking incidents while posing as a Federal Trade Commission agent. The victim eventually gave the suspect thousands of dollars.
According to police, the suspect contacted the victim again on Wednesday, claiming that they needed $50,000 in cash after the victim’s account was compromised again.
Harshal Patel, 25, of Hoffman Estates, Illinois, arrived at the designated pickup location to receive the $50,000. According to police, Patel was arrested and transported to the Jefferson County Jail for attempted theft.
Patel’s criminal record indicates that he was involved in a complex scheme with other suspects that primarily targeted elderly victims in the Midwest. He was responsible for collecting money and precious metals in five different states across the region. According to police, Patel was involved in a $2.9 million theft operation over the last two months.
The police department announced that the investigation is still ongoing and that no further information will be released.
Officers and detectives from the Whitewater Police Department, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Police Department, and Walworth County Sheriff’s Office deputies all assisted with this case.
