Moody’s Office Arrests Man for Stealing Thousands from Seniors via Fraudulent Tech Support

July 21, 2022 Updated 3:17 P.M. ET

TALLAHASSEE (FLV) – Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody announced that her Office of Statewide Prosecution with the Port St. Lucie Police Department arrested a man for reportedly stealing thousands of dollars from more than a dozen seniors.

The alleged scammer reportedly ran a tech-support scheme, targeting those over 60, and sent pop-up computer notifications to claim that users’ devices are locked and to call a listed phone number.

Over the phone, Bawa is accused of tricking victims into sending thousands of dollars in fee as payment to unlock the devices.

“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. My Statewide Prosecutors will now make sure this defendant faces justice,” Moody 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. We are proud of the hard work of our Economic Crimes Detectives and value our partnership with Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution to ensure all individuals that participate in the systematic scheme to defraud our elderly residents are held accountable,” the Police Department Chief John Bolduc said.

The man who was arrested – Maninder Singh Bawa was charged with money laundering and organized scheme to defraud – third-degree felonies.