CELINA, Ohio (WLIO) — A multi-agency scam investigation has resulted in an arrest as part of what authorities are calling "Operation Money Trap."
According to the Celina Police Department, 22-year-old Anurgdeep Singh, a native of India who is currently living in the United States, was arrested and charged with theft after allegedly attempting to collect money from a 72-year-old Celina woman who was being targeted by scammers.
Investigators said the victim was contacted by individuals who claimed her computer had been compromised with illicit and sexually explicit material. The scammers allegedly threatened to expose the fabricated information and damage her reputation if she did not send them money.
Police said the woman initially complied with the demands and sent money. When the suspects later contacted her seeking additional payments, she notified law enforcement, prompting an investigation.
Authorities arranged an operation at a Marathon gas station in Celina, where Singh allegedly arrived to collect money from the victim. He was taken into custody by officers and charged with theft.
Celina Police Chief Tom Wale thanked the victim for coming forward and cooperating with investigators, noting that her actions may have helped prevent other senior citizens from becoming victims of similar scams.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges are expected pending further review by the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office.
