A federal agent was meant to be knocking on the door to collect $60,000 from an elderly victim. It was actually the start of a week-long sting in Baxter County that resulted in the imprisonment of three men and a warning about an expanding fraud that officials claim is targeting the elderly.
This month, federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies joined forces to pursue money mules, or couriers, who collect money from victims after international scammers persuade them to give up their wealth, frequently by threatening them.
Pruthviraj Ghanshyambha Butiya, 24, of St. Charles, Missouri, arrived at a Mountain Home home on August 14 pretending to be a Federal Trade Commission agent, according to investigators. He was apprehended shortly after he escaped in a car after taking what he believed to be $60,000 in cash.
Osazuwa Presley Ikponmwosa, 27, of Houston, Texas, was caught by police the next day after he showed up for a similar cash pickup. Before leaving his car in a forested area, his alleged partner, Pranav Sharma, 28, of Haltom City, Texas, led deputies on a fast-paced pursuit through residential neighborhoods and highways. About three hours later, he was found with the aid of tracking dogs and a helicopter.
In addition to larceny charges, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has placed both Butiya and Sharma, who are Indian citizens, under immigration holds. A U.S. citizen named Ikponmwosa is charged with felony theft.
Gage Thurman, 22, was also taken into custody by deputies after they said he had mislead them about Sharma’s movements during the manhunt. He is charged with minor obstruction.
More than ten suspected couriers who were thought to have been in Baxter County during the operation have since left, according to Sheriff John F. Montgomery, who also stated that scammers are still active in the area.
According to Montgomery’s statement, “I hope this will educate and inform the public about these scams and prevent others from becoming a victim.”
The FBI, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Arkansas Division of Correction, the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office, the Mountain Home Police Department, the Arkansas State Police, and the Baxter County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office were all participating in the sting.
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