2 Arrested In Computer 'Lock Out' Scam: Northport Police

NORTHPORT, NY — Two men were arrested in connection with a "Microsoft lock out" scam by Northport police, the department said.

A woman was locked out of her computer and was directed to contact a fake "Microsoft" support number on March 29, police said. She spoke with someone claiming to be a "special agent" who then conned her into withdrawing $15,786 that was picked up by two "special agents" — Prit Parekh, 26, of Maywood, New Jersey, and Roshik Shrestha, 50, of Corona, New York — later that day, police said.

The next day, the same "special agent" called back looking to repeat the scam, police said. Northport police officers were staged at the pick-up location where Parekh and another person arrived to pick up the payment, police said.

With the help from the woman who was scammed and the assistance of the Suffolk County District Attorney's Financial Crimes Bureau, Northport police arrested Parekh on April 12 and Shrestha on April 1, police said.

Parekh was charged with third-degree grand larceny and Shrestha was charged with fourth-degree criminal facilitation.