Berkeley Township woman alerted police after losing $50K and helped investigators intercept a second cash demand
BERKELEY TOWNSHIP, NJ – A senior citizen who realized she had been duped out of $50,000 by scammers posing as Microsoft and Wells Fargo employees helped police turn the tables when the alleged scheme came back for another $30,000, leading to the arrest of a New York man outside her Ocean County home.
Berkeley Township Police announced Monday that Gurdutt Singh, 24, of South Richmond, New York, was arrested Friday after investigators conducted surveillance at the woman’s home in the Holiday City section of the township.
Singh is charged with conspiracy to commit third-degree theft by deception and conspiracy to commit third-degree money laundering.
Fake Microsoft alert starts $50K scam
The woman told police that the scheme began earlier this month when a Microsoft error message suddenly appeared on her home computer and displayed a phone number to call.
After she dialed the number, a woman claiming to represent Microsoft told her that her bank accounts had been compromised, according to police.
The call was then transferred to a man who allegedly claimed to work for Wells Fargo.
Police said the woman was eventually persuaded to mail a cashier’s check for $50,000.
The people behind the alleged scheme continued contacting her over the following days, maintaining what police described as an effort to gain and retain her trust.
Senior realizes scam and keeps answering calls
After realizing she had been scammed, the woman contacted Berkeley Township Police but continued answering calls from the people communicating with her.
That decision gave investigators another opportunity.
While officers were at her residence, police said the callers requested another $30,000 and told the woman that a courier would come to her home to collect the money for purported safekeeping.
Detectives and patrol officers established surveillance around the residence while monitoring developments.
Police wait for alleged courier
During the surveillance operation, detectives spotted a gray Toyota RAV4 pass the woman’s home and leave the area, police said.
The vehicle returned a short time later and parked one house away.
At about the same time, the woman received a call informing her that the courier had arrived, according to police.
Officers then apprehended Singh.
He was taken to Berkeley Township Police Headquarters for processing and later remanded to the Ocean County Correctional Facility under New Jersey’s bail reform procedures.
Police did not announce whether the original $50,000 had been recovered or identify any additional suspects.
The charges against Singh are accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Key Points
- A Berkeley Township senior citizen reported losing $50,000 after scammers allegedly posed as Microsoft and Wells Fargo employees.
- After realizing she had been scammed, the woman contacted police and continued communicating with the callers when they allegedly demanded another $30,000.
- Police conducted surveillance and arrested Gurdutt Singh, 24, after an alleged courier arrived near the woman’s Holiday City home.
