The Adams County Prosecutor’s office has released the formal charges filed against Lalit and Amit Kumar in the scam of a Monroe resident that has caused quite a stir in the community.
Both men from Indianapolis have been charged with attempted fraud, a Level 5 Felony, and fraud, a Level 6 Felony.
According to the probable cause affidavit, and with the testimony of Decatur PD officer Corey Hamm, here are some of the details of the scam:
-The Decatur PD was tipped off by a representative from a local bank, stating that a customer had seemingly been the victim of fraud in the amount of $35,000.
-A couple from Monroe withdrew the amount and handed it over to an individual at the America’s Best Value Inn in Decatur.
-On the day after the $35,000 was handed over, the scammers called the victim again, demanding more cash in the amount of $47,000.
-A representative from the hotel confirmed seeing the transaction in the parking lot, the report says. Police reviewed the video footage to confirm the story.
-Various police departments then worked with the couple in order to make an arrest. Police, according to the report, expected the second transaction to be made in the same manner as the first and worked with the couple from Monroe in a “sting” operation.
-By Tuesday evening, the accused notified the victims that they were approaching the Monroe residence and the money should be brought outside. When one of the victims came inside the house, where the officer was stationed, she notified the officer that the accused were across the street. At that point, the officer exited the home in police gear and his badge visible.
-The accused scammers attempted to flee, as one jumped into the passenger seat of a car in which the other was waiting. Additional police swarmed the vehicles with guns drawn and both subjects were arrested.
-According to the report, both men possess Indian passports and had entered Canada on student visas before crossing into the United States.
-Local and state police have been in contact with the FBI, who informed the officers that the behavior of the suspects matches the behavior of several very large, well-funded and highly-organized international criminal organizations.
For more information on the story, continue to check WZBD.com and 92.7 FM throughout the coming days as more details are available.
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