A resident of San Antonio, Texas, originally from India and in the United States on a student visa, has been indicted for allegedly defrauding an elderly man in Delaware County, Oklahoma.
Venkateswara Chagamreddy, 27, faces charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to demand money and property while falsely impersonating a federal officer, and conspiracy to obstruct commerce by extortion.
According to court documents, the victim believed he was contacting Microsoft support. He was informed that criminal activity had been detected on his computer and that this information would be reported to federal authorities. The victim then received a call from someone claiming to be a federal officer who provided a false badge number. This person told the victim his identity had been stolen and used in federal crimes, which led to an investigation against him.
The individual posing as a federal officer discussed the victim’s finances with him and claimed he would be transferred to the “treasury department.” The victim was instructed that his money needed to be converted into gold and handed over to an “officer” for safekeeping. The victim complied by providing photos of the gold and later handing it over when someone arrived at his residence.
Days later, another request for funds was made by the fake official. At this point, a family member realized it was a scam and contacted the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies coordinated with the victim for another arranged pickup.
At the meeting location monitored by deputies, Chagamreddy arrived. Court documents allege he was speaking with the elderly victim on the phone at that time. Deputies arrested Chagamreddy and found gold and marijuana in his vehicle during their search. After waiving his right to have an attorney present, Chagamreddy stated he was at risk of deportation after being suspended from school but recently traveled out of state attempting to enroll elsewhere; upon returning, he said he found gold in his car.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office are handling the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Greenough is prosecuting.
“An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
