A 27-year-old man has been arrested and accused of running a government impersonation scam that swindled an elderly El Paso County resident out of more than $200,000, authorities announced. The suspect, Harish Vadla, is alleged to have targeted elderly individuals across various states, collecting cash from victims at their residences. According to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, the victim reported the incident after Vadla collected money from her on September 11.
El Paso County Sheriff's Office detectives embarked on an investigation that led them to Vadla, who was later arrested in collaboration with the Orange County Sheriff's Office in Florida. A small portion of the stolen funds was recovered at the time of Vadla's arrest. It has been reported that Vadla is a foreign national from India, residing in the United States on a visa. He now faces multiple felony charges, such as At-Risk robbery, Money laundering, and Conspiracy to commit theft, according to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Joseph Roybal of the El Paso County has expressed a zero-tolerance stance towards those who exploit the elderly, stating, “Criminals who exploit the trust of others, especially our elderly community, will find no refuge from justice. I commend our investigators and our partners in Florida for their swift and coordinated response. Together, we will continue pursuing those who prey upon our citizens.”
The scam typically involves phone calls to victims from an individual claiming to represent a federal agency, informing them they are subject to a criminal investigation. The criminals then coerce the victims into allowing access to their computers through emails or website links. Once inside, they locate bank account details or demand payment in gold or cash, informing the victims that a government agent will pick up the valuables. Detectives believe there might be additional victims and urge anyone with similar experiences to contact the El Paso County Sheriff's Office Tip Line at (719) 520-7777. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
