77-year-old Menlo Park resident loses $35,000 to text-based fraud scheme with international connections

Summary

A 77-year-old Menlo Park resident was scammed out of $35,000 in a fraud scheme that began with a threatening text message on Feb. 13, allegedly claiming affiliation with a major online retailer and a federal agency. The victim withdrew the cash from multiple bank branches on Feb. 11 and 12, and on Feb. 12, a suspect collected a box containing the cash at the victim’s home. The suspect, Arya Mehta, a 22-year-old San Jose man, was arrested at his home on Feb. 15 and booked into San Mateo County Jail on suspicion of theft by false pretenses, theft using an access card, and elder abuse. Authorities said the scam may have international connections and are continuing to investigate for additional suspects.