In a recent crackdown on phone scams that prey on the elderly, Ventura County law enforcement has cuffed a man responsible for bilking an 81-year-old out of a hefty sum. Kevin Ahir, 30, from Calabasas, was snatched up by authorities after an investigation into a complaint initially lodged back on October 7th, as detailed in a statement from the Thousand Oaks Police Department.
According to the narrative, the victim, whose anonymity is preserved, was hoodwinked by a deceptive call, a kind of scam becoming all too familiar in Thousand Oaks and beyond. The ruse was simple yet effective: crooks, posing as legitimate entities, swindled the victim into shelling out large quantities of cash under the guise of bail for a phony criminal probe. After identifying Ahir as part of the scam, detectives served a search warrant on January 3rd, unearthing further evidence tying him to these nefarious deeds.
Ahir is now holed up in Ventura County Main Jail, facing charges including felony theft by false pretenses, conspiracy to commit a crime, and elder theft. Per the police report, his bail has been set at a cool $200,000.00. "Detectives believe Ahir did not work alone in the scam and are actively pursuing the other involved suspect(s)," the report cautioned the public—a reminder that the sinister web of deceit may be wider than a single individual.
During his arraignment, which is scheduled for today. Meanwhile, law enforcement officials have spared no effort in reminding the public that genuine agencies never solicit bills, fines, or bail payments over the phone. Detective K. Walters underscores the importance of vigilance in the face of these con artists' tactics, advocating for locals to terminate suspicious calls, block dubious numbers, and refrain from transferring funds to would-be scammers. The detective's warning, conveyed in the report, "If you are a victim of a scam, please contact the Sheriff’s Dispatch non-emergency number at 805-654-9511 to make a report," serves as a beacon for those who may find themselves ensnared.
With Ventura County Crime Stoppers willing to pony up to $1,000 for tips that lead to an arrest, it's hoped that the community will join in the fight against these increasingly prevalent phone scams.
