Indian Scammers Posed as FBI to Steal $200K From Elderly - Busted and Deported!

[00:00:00]Why would these scammers think it was okay to pose as FBI agents and terrorize a terrified elderly woman into handing over $200,000 in gold over 7 months?

[00:00:11]>> Then I clicked on my computer and um this huge red box came up and said, "Don't touch any keys. If you do, you're going to lose everything. Call this Call Apple security at 800." I don't know if it was their security, but it and rate at that time freaked me out. I called and um then the guy came on and he's doing this, that, and the other thing. Then then he said, "Oh, this is bad. This is very very bad. You need to you'll hear You'll be hearing from Brett Loveman, who is with the National Cyber Investigative Joint Council Joint Task Force." Um then he sent three different letters. Long story. It won't I won't bore you, but I had to I went through three banks. And finally after the my bank and then the two other banks, finally at the third bank, I was able to wire almost $25,000.

[00:01:09]>> Did you actually send that money to this person?

[00:01:12]>> No, I didn't send it. They came and It was gold.

[00:01:14]>> Oh, so you bought the gold and then >> They came and picked it up.

[00:01:17]>> They actually came and picked the gold up from you?

[00:01:19]>> Yeah, and it was all okay. I'm going to call one of my one of my one of my men will come and pick it up and then bring it down to Washington. So, he would call the day and then give me Okay, this is the code you need to have. He's going to say, "You know, for the entire apartment, I want the floor. He'll be outside and he'll be He'll be walking by and he'll just say 95 or whatever it was and then you just give it to them."

[00:01:46]Okay, and this was the picture that I took cuz it was that cash to bring it up to 47 up the second time. It was this was 47,000 and the same thing happened except he came by and it was a different person.

[00:02:01]Came by in a copper and it was just like a you know, like beat up old car whatever. And the guy definitely was either East Indian or Pakistani or something.

[00:02:17]He was >> This happened again?

[00:02:19]>> Three times.

[00:02:20]>> You bought a gold >> Three times.

[00:02:22]>> Yes.

[00:02:23]>> And they picked up the gold from you all three times.

[00:02:25]>> Correct.

[00:02:26]>> That's where all this started from.

[00:02:27]Okay.

[00:02:28]>> Correct. But the last time he said and this was why this this what he said we have to we have to take 80% of your equity out of your 401K and because the Department of Justice International Police I can't remember what they're called. Okay. The whatever they're >> Interpol?

[00:02:50]>> Yeah, Interpol. And UK are all involved now. So, you know, we have to prove your whatever whatever and you need to withdraw 80% of your equity.

[00:03:01]>> But I'm just curious on how they were convincing you to do this. Like what was their reason?

[00:03:05]>> Because because if they It was they they you know, it was this is going to you know, your family are in extreme will be in extreme danger.

[00:03:18]>> So, they were threatening >> Oh, yes.

[00:03:20]>> Okay.

[00:03:20]>> Yes. Yes. Basically, yes.

[00:03:22]>> They were saying if you don't >> If you don't do this >> Or this is going to happen to your >> Yeah, basically, right. Yeah.

[00:03:28]>> And you thought you were speaking with the FBI?

[00:03:30]>> Absolutely, yeah. The whole time.

[00:03:32]>> After taking her report, investigators gave the victim additional gold and fake receipts instructing her to arrange another meeting so police could confront the suspects. They also asked her to record phone calls to gather more identifying information.

[00:03:46]>> Yes, Mr. LeGrande, it's me. And I'm home.

[00:03:50]Yes.

[00:03:51]Yes, it's all set.

[00:03:53]Yes, one moment.

[00:03:55]Okay, okay, I will. Okay, I'll do it now.

[00:04:00]Okay, did you get it? Did you hello?

[00:04:04]>> You have my number for 96,889 dollars, is that right?

[00:04:08]>> Correct.

[00:04:09]>> Okay, and how many ounces?

[00:04:11]>> You know, on the receipt it doesn't give me ounces. It just has, you know, five American buffalos, but no ounces, but through the gold, yeah.

[00:04:22]>> And five American buffalos when I was in school, when I was in school, 12 gold bars, 1.5 gram rotation, a total of 12 and 4 16 and 5 21 ounces and 10 grams, is that right?

[00:04:42]>> If you say so, yeah.

[00:04:44]>> Now, can you please show me all the gold so that we can put it in the picture?

[00:04:48]>> Yeah, I need to put it on the floor, so just a minute.

[00:04:51]>> You need to order a little further away.

[00:04:53]Yeah, that's that's perfect, that's perfect. Move this thing.

[00:04:55]>> Unaware it's a setup, he heads to the location while officers wait nearby with a detailed description of his vehicle.

[00:05:06]>> Josh.

[00:05:07]>> Josh, move.

[00:05:09]>> DO NOT MOVE.

[00:05:11]>> DO NOT MOVE.

[00:05:12]KEEP YOUR hands up. Open the door with your left hand.

[00:05:18]Step out, face away. Do not reach. Get the [ __ ] out. Take your seat belt off.

[00:05:23]Take your seat belt off.

[00:05:26]Take your seat belt off.

[00:05:29]Step out, face away.

[00:05:34]Face away.

[00:05:35]>> Put your >> Yep, set that down. Two steps to your right.

[00:05:40]Now, walk it back to me.

[00:05:44]Walk back. Stop.

[00:05:46]Grab the towel or lift it up.

[00:05:49]Grab the collar and lift it up.

[00:05:51]>> No.

[00:05:52]>> Grab the collar of your [ __ ] shirt.

[00:05:54]Lift it up.

[00:05:56]Do a 360.

[00:06:01]Stop.

[00:06:02]Hands back up.

[00:06:04]Walk back.

[00:06:07]>> Hey passenger, roll down the window.

[00:06:11]With nothing in your hands, stick both hands out of the window. Both hands up.

[00:06:16]Walk to your right two steps. Right.

[00:06:19]Right. Stop. Grab the collar of your shirt. Grab the collar, lift up, spin 360. Face away.

[00:06:27]Face away from me. Turn around.

[00:06:30]Place your hands on top of your head.

[00:06:34]Hands on Yes. Walk back to me. Walk back. Walk back. Walk back. Walk back.

[00:06:40]Walk back. I'm transitioning.

[00:06:43]Keep coming. Keep coming. Keep coming.

[00:06:45]Keep coming.

[00:06:47]Keep coming. Keep coming. Three steps to your left. Come on. Come on.

[00:06:57]Hands together. Pray. Like you're praying.

[00:07:00]>> Like you're praying?

[00:07:02]>> Like you're Like you're praying. There you go. Is there just two of you in the vehicle?

[00:07:05]>> Yeah.

[00:07:06]>> Okay. There's nobody else in the vehicle?

[00:07:12]Just going to advise you of your rights real quick, okay?

[00:07:13]>> Yep.

[00:07:14]>> So, you have the right to remain silent.

[00:07:15]Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to speak with an attorney and to have an attorney present during any questioning. You have the right to have an attorney present while answering questions. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided to you by the court to understand your rights.

[00:07:26]Okay.

[00:07:27]All right. What do you want him to do?

[00:07:28]Does he have his gun?

[00:07:29]Does he have cash and stuff in his pockets? Just have him turn around and face him so I know which one which phone to do.

[00:07:38]They're all empty. Good.

[00:07:41]Unlock the car.

[00:07:44]>> Turn it off.

[00:07:46]I'm going to empty out your pockets for you.

[00:07:47]>> Yeah. Is there a bag? I checked the bag over there.

[00:07:51]Do you have an Ohio license?

[00:07:53]No.

[00:07:54]>> No, I wasn't driving.

[00:07:56]>> You You weren't driving?

[00:07:57]>> No, I was not driving.

[00:07:58]>> Do you have a an ID?

[00:08:00]>> I I don't have right now.

[00:08:01]>> Do you have a passport?

[00:08:02]>> Right now, I don't have.

[00:08:04]>> Hello. How are you doing?

[00:08:05]>> Good. How are you?

[00:08:06]>> I'm good, man. My name is Mitch.

[00:08:08]This is my partner, Officer Longbow.

[00:08:10]>> Okay.

[00:08:10]>> Okay. We We haven't met yet, but here we are. All right?

[00:08:13]>> Uh may I be able to get some water?

[00:08:15]>> Yeah, I'll get you a bottle of water.

[00:08:16]Yeah, hang tight, man.

[00:08:17]>> Thank you.

[00:08:18]>> No problem. Yeah, it'll be a little better to have those cuffs off. Those aren't the most comfortable things in the world.

[00:08:22]>> Yeah, it's just because of the bench in the car.

[00:08:26]>> Yep.

[00:08:27]>> And the the hand was little bit completely numb after long driving, so that's the reason.

[00:08:35]>> How long was the drive?

[00:08:36]>> Um started at like 1:00 in the morning.

[00:08:41]Came here about 7:00-ish.

[00:08:43]>> How long was the drive?

[00:08:44]>> About 5 hours.

[00:08:46]>> Woo.

[00:08:47]And your partner, what's his name?

[00:08:48]>> Ankit. A N K I T. So far, I only call him Ankit.

[00:08:53]>> Okay.

[00:08:53]>> I don't know what he goes by.

[00:08:55]>> So, you don't know what an American would call him?

[00:08:57]>> Yeah, so cuz I work in the Red Roof Inn, and he works in the gas station across the Red Roof Inn.

[00:09:03]>> Okay.

[00:09:04]>> So, I'm I'm not 100% familiar with it. I recently met him because of the gas station.

[00:09:11]>> How many times have you done this with him?

[00:09:13]>> Uh this was the second time. Uh one time I took him to Z.

[00:09:17]>> Mhm.

[00:09:18]>> Uh he was saying that he's take seeing his lawyer or friend, and I dropped him off, went in a Dunkin' for a half hour, had my breakfast and everything, and came back and drove back him. I don't know about that particular deal or anything at that time. This time I seen the envelope.

[00:09:37]>> Okay.

[00:09:38]>> But yeah, I I because I'm the only one uh cuz my wife is in a busy. So, I I go busy all the time. So, when somebody's asking me if you can take busy on your day off, of course I'm not going to say no cuz that makes excuse for me to see her as well.

[00:09:58]>> Yep.

[00:09:59]>> So, other than that, I I have no clue about it.

[00:10:03]>> What was in that envelope today?

[00:10:04]>> I have no clue.

[00:10:05]>> But you saw the envelope.

[00:10:06]>> This is the first time I've seen this envelope.

[00:10:08]>> Oh, were there other envelopes?

[00:10:09]>> I'm not sure.

[00:10:11]Cuz >> Well, I mean, the way you say that makes me seem like >> no. No, no, what I'm saying is that that last time when I took him to see, he did not have anything physically on him like envelope or anything. This is the first time I've seen the envelope.

[00:10:25]>> So, we Are these your phones? You have three phones.

[00:10:29]Is this your phone?

[00:10:30]>> I don't know. I have this phone.

[00:10:32]>> This one?

[00:10:34]You had only How many phones did you have?

[00:10:36]>> This is my phone.

[00:10:37]This is what he got it.

[00:10:39]>> What's that?

[00:10:40]>> This is what he got it. We I mean, we we It's not our phone.

[00:10:44]>> Yes, and whose phone is it?

[00:10:46]>> We got it from somebody.

[00:10:48]>> Yeah, from whom?

[00:10:49]>> My my friend friend somebody gave us these phones. This is not my personal phones.

[00:10:54]>> These are your business phones so you can duck your business.

[00:10:57]>> No, no, but I said this is my only personal phone and life phone what I use.

[00:11:02]These are the phone I really don't know about it.

[00:11:05]This is my only personal phone.

[00:11:07]>> So, what brings you to Westlake today?

[00:11:09]>> I came with my friend. So, he said he we got some call and he gave us some money. They said he you have to take one parcel. So, I don't know. I said why we need to do that. Is is Is there anything wrong? He said no, nothing wrong. We have to take and we have to give money and the parcel. And I asked him what is in the parcel? So, he said I don't know about it. That's what it happened with me.

[00:11:34]I haven't been to jail ever. You can see my card. I don't know really whatever happened today. It just happened. I I can't explain anything. But, whatever you will ask me, I'll answer.

[00:11:46]>> So, you you don't really know why you're here today?

[00:11:48]>> No.

[00:11:49]>> You're You're here to pick up money?

[00:11:50]>> Yeah. There was some parcel, and what was that? I really don't know about it.

[00:11:54]>> So, who told you to come here?

[00:11:56]>> We got a phone. We got some money.

[00:11:59]>> Okay. From who?

[00:12:00]>> I can show the numbers. I don't know the person.

[00:12:03]>> Yeah. So, you're So, you're getting calls from these people You get the phones. You're getting calls from these people, and they're telling you where to go?

[00:12:10]>> Yeah. Both of we were getting >> Both of us Both of you guys told you guys what to do.

[00:12:14]>> The first time it happened. And then like we were really not knowing about the money and whatever it is, but we got call, and he told us he take this and take the money and this money plus the parcel drop it here. We will tell once you will take the parcel.

[00:12:33]>> What did they say? How How did they tell you to do this?

[00:12:35]>> On phone, sir.

[00:12:37]>> Right. What was the conversation?

[00:12:39]>> They said he there will be some We said, "What is this?" They will They said like this is our personal transaction, and you don't have to worry. You don't have to do anything wrong. You just go tell the name we are giving. Tell the password. They will give you the pass parcel. Once you will get the parcel, we will tell you where you have to drop the money and the parcel. I had my money in my pocket.

[00:13:05]>> What was the name you were supposed to give?

[00:13:07]>> It was some Kevin, I think. Look, it was written.

[00:13:11]>> Okay. And what was the password?

[00:13:13]>> I don't remember. It was written in the phone.

[00:13:15]>> So, it didn't matter what she said to you really. It was just you were picking up >> Nothing. Nothing. Just She asked me name. I said Kevin. She said password.

[00:13:24]So, I just saw from the message. I said password. She to give me a password, and immediately they came to see you.

[00:13:31]>> Yeah, cuz you know, I want to tell you something. I want to be up front and honest with you.

[00:13:34]We've been working on this a long time.

[00:13:36]>> But, we don't We are really don't We are just blank about it. I'm very serious It's about It's up to you you trust or not, but I'm very pretty much blank about it.

[00:13:47]>> I don't trust you. You're stealing a lot of money from from a lot of people.

[00:13:51]>> No, sir. I'm not part of >> I don't No, no sir me. That's That's what's going on.

[00:13:55]>> You will You will come to know that, sir. You will come to know that, sir.

[00:13:58]>> Yeah. Yeah. Well, here's the deal. I'm either going to deport you or put you in prison. One of those two things are going to happen. Preferably, I would put you in prison, let you serve time, and then kick you out of our country. If you talk to me and tell me the truth, maybe, just maybe, I could think about it a little bit.

[00:14:14]>> Sir, >> But, when you play games with me, and you don't tell me the truth, and you aren't honest with me, and you don't tell me everything that I want to know, I don't care. I would love to put you in prison and then kick you out of our country, and you never come back here ever again.

[00:14:28]Because we have victims here, and people are victims because of people like you.

[00:14:34]Because of exactly you.

[00:14:36]You have done this, right?

[00:14:38]You have done this, and I know it, and you are all part of this, and this poor woman is out of a lot of money.

[00:14:46]A lot of money that she worked hard for, that you stole from her.

[00:14:49]>> Sir, I >> There is no sir. Don't sir me, because you don't respect anybody here.

[00:14:54]>> I respect it, sir.

[00:14:56]>> No, you don't.

[00:14:57]>> Manan Shah and Ankit Gupta were arrested and charged with theft by deception and complicity.