Clarksville police, with FBI assistance, say they prevented a planned cash pickup after an elderly Indiana resident received a call from someone posing as a government official. Police arrested Yogesh Patel, who drove from the Chicago area to collect the funds; he faces Level 4 fraud and Level 6 impersonation charges. Court records list an alleged Sept. 2 offense date and a Sept. 15 filing; bond was set at $100,000 cash only and Patel entered a preliminary not guilty plea. Authorities say the arrest is tied to a broader multi-state fraud investigation and remind the public to be wary of government-impersonation scams.
Chicago-Area Man Arrested After Driving To Indiana To Collect Cash In Senior-Targeting Scam
Image Credit: Clarksville Police Department.
Clarksville, Ind. — Clarksville Police, working with the FBI, say they intercepted an attempt to collect cash from an elderly resident after a caller posing as a government official instructed the resident to withdraw funds. When a man arrived from the Chicago area to pick up the money, officers were waiting and arrested him without incident.
What Happened
Police identified the person who traveled to Clarksville as Yogesh Patel. Investigators say the incident began in early September with a phone call to an older resident. The caller allegedly presented himself as a government representative and told the resident to withdraw cash for an unspecified purpose. Detectives coordinated with the FBI and intervened before any cash changed hands.
Charges And Court Details
Indiana court records list Patel as the defendant in State of Indiana v. Yogesh Patel (case number 10C04-2609-F4-000083), filed Sept. 15 in Clark Circuit Court 4. He faces two counts: a Level 4 felony fraud charge under Indiana Code 35-43-5-4(a)(1), described in court entries as alleging a fraud loss greater than $100,000, and a Level 6 felony charge for impersonation of a public servant under Indiana Code 35-44.1-2-6, alleging he posed as a law enforcement officer.
Both counts list an alleged offense date of Sept. 2. At an initial hearing on Sept. 15, Patel entered a preliminary not guilty plea; bond was set at $100,000 cash only and a public defender was appointed. Upcoming docket dates include a pretrial conference (Oct. 14), an attorney conference (Nov. 18), a final pretrial (Jan. 25, 2027) and a jury trial scheduled for Feb. 16, 2027.
Broader Investigation And Context
Police told reporters that Patel is connected to a larger, multi-state operation spanning at least eight states and tied to more than $8 million in reported fraudulent activity. Authorities emphasize that the $8 million figure describes the broader alleged scheme and does not reflect a loss by the Clarksville resident; officers say the local handoff was stopped before any money was exchanged.
FBI Guidance On Government-Impersonation Scams
The pickup pattern described by Clarksville police matches scams the FBI has warned about, in which criminals pose as government or financial officials, instruct targets—often older adults—to liquidate assets, and then arrange for a third party to collect cash or valuables. The FBI advises the public that U.S. government agencies will not demand payment by wire transfer, cryptocurrency, precious metals, or gift cards to resolve an alleged problem.
If you receive an unsolicited call claiming to be from a government agency, hang up and contact the agency using a verified phone number. Anyone who believes they have been targeted should contact local law enforcement and file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
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