(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) — The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO), in collaboration with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Florida, has confirmed the arrest of a suspect in connection with a multi-state government impersonation scam.
EPSO reports that a woman contacted them on Sept. 29 to report that she had fallen victim to someone impersonating a government official, which resulted in a loss of over $200,000. The victim proceeded to give EPSO detectives detailed information about the person who swindled the cash from her at her home in El Paso County on Sept. 11.
With this information, EPSO detectives identified the primary suspect as 27-year-old Harish Vadla, a foreign national from India residing in the country on a visa. According to EPSO, Vadla has been linked to several scams that target elderly people across the United States.
27-year-old Harish Vadla, Orange County Sheriff’s Office (Florida)
EPSO and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office found and arrested Vadla, recovering a small amount of the stolen money during the arrest. Vadla is currently awaiting extradition to Colorado from Florida. He faces multiple felony charges, including At-Risk Robbery, Money Laundering, and Conspiracy to Commit Theft.
EPSO also reports that its detectives believe more victims are out there.
They outline the crime as follows: The victim will receive a phone call from someone claiming to work for a federal agency, saying the victim is under criminal investigation. Then, the scammer will obtain access to the victim’s computer through an email or link. From this, the criminal will access the victim’s bank account or demand a physical payment of cash or gold, telling the victim that a government agent will come to their home or meet them to pick up the payment.
Anyone who believes they have been targeted or has already been victimized by a similar scam should call EPSO’s tip line at (719) 520-7777.
“Criminals who exploit the trust of others, especially our elderly community, will find no refuge from justice. I commend our investigators and our partners in Florida for their swift and coordinated response. Together, we will continue pursuing those who prey upon our citizens.”
El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal
