Arrest Made In Elderly Phone Scam

SANTA CLARA, CA -- Santa Clara police arrested a Fremont man for allegedly trying to bilk the elderly by posing as someone with privileged information about a family member.

The police department was tipped off to the nationwide scheme by the Richland County Sheriff's Office in Montana when it said a 77-year-old resident in the state fielded a call from an unknown party who was trying to convince the victim that his grandson had been arrested and needed bail money. Over the course of several days, the victim was instructed to send over $20,000 to an address in Santa Clara.

Investigators set up surveillance at the pick-up location where they later observed Vamshidhar Reddy Kotla, 24, of Fremont arrive. He was detained and later arrested. During the probe, it was determined Kotla bilked four victims out of $28,000. He is believed to be an operational member in a list of national phone scams involving Medicare, prescription drugs, funderals, anti-aging products, investments, sweepstakes, contests, lotteries, mortgages, home improvement, IRS/taxes and utility services.

When in doubt, residents are asked to call the police department at 408-615-4700.

--Image via Shutterstock, Santa Clara Police Department