Indian student poses as US official, tries to scam 78-year-old woman; arrested

An Indian student has been arrested in North Carolina for allegedly trying to defraud a 78-year-old woman by impersonating a federal agent.

According to media reports, 21-year-old Kishan Kumar Singh, was arrested in Guilford County after he showed up at the victim’s residence claiming to be a federal officer.

Authorities said Singh attempted to collect a large sum of money the woman had withdrawn under pressure from scammers.

According to the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office, the elderly woman had received multiple calls from individuals pretending to be law enforcement officers.

The scammers told her that her bank accounts had been compromised and threatened her by saying her name was linked to criminal activity elsewhere in the country. She was then urged to withdraw money for "safekeeping."

Singh, who was reportedly living near Cincinnati, Ohio, on a student visa since 2024, is now being held at the Guilford County Detention Center on a $1 million bond.

He faces felony charges including attempted obtaining of property by false pretenses and exploitation of an elder adult.

In a statement on X, the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office warned that scammers are increasingly targeting elderly individuals in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

"We will NEVER call you and ask for money. Educate yourself and your loved ones," the post said.

This arrest follows a similar case from April, where two Indian nationals on student visas were taken into custody in El Paso County for scamming an elderly person.

Mahammadilham Vahora and Hajiali Vahora, both 24, were charged with crimes against at-risk individuals, including robbery, theft, and money laundering through illegal investments.