FLORIDA— A Port St. Lucie man has been arrested for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars from more than a dozen senior victims in a tech-support scam, the Office of the Attorney General has announced.
According to a statement by Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office, Maninder Singh Bawa targeted victims, all above the age of 60, by sending pop-up computer notifications claiming the victims’ devices were locked and then provided a number to call to have the devices unlocked.
Over the phone, Bawa tricked each victim into sending thousands of dollars in fees as payment for unlocking the devices, the Attorney General’s Office said.
The Office of the Attorney General said Bawa was arrested with the assistance of the Port St. Lucie Police Department.
Bawa is charged with money laundering and organized scheme to defraud. Both are third-degree felonies, the office said.
“These victims, all seniors, panicked after finding their computers locked and reached out to who they thought would provide a helping hand. Instead, they were duped by a con man who squeezed them for ludicrous amounts of money,” said Moody.
“My statewide prosecutors will now make sure this defendant faces justice.”
According to the investigation, the victims called the number listed in the pop-up notification and reached Computer Solutions LLC, a fraudulent company set up by Bawa. Once making contact, Bawa reportedly pretended to help the victims unlock the device and offer protection from future issues.
Approximately a month later, the Office of the Attorney General said Bawa contacted the victims again to extort thousands of dollars to be paid as debt for the computer protection. All victims sent a check that Bawa then cashed, keeping some of the money and sending a portion overseas, the Office of the Attorney General said.
“The Port St. Lucie Police Department is dedicated to the relentless pursuit against all individuals that prey on and take advantage of our elderly senior citizens,” said John Bolduc, Chief of Police, Port St. Lucie Police Department.
Assistant statewide prosecutor Kaley Auston-Aronson will prosecute this case.
