SEDGWICK COUNTY, Kan. – The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, arrested two men Sept. 17, in connection with a social security scam that defrauded an 84- year-old Kansas woman of more than $255,000.
The investigation began in May when the victim received a phone call from a man posing as an FBI agent, according to Sedgwick Sheriff's Department spokesman Branden Stitt.
The caller convinced the woman her social security number had been compromised and was being used at numerous banks. Believing her savings were at risk and after being pressured by the man, she liquidated her assets into gold and handed them over in three separate transactions to individuals she thought were undercover FBI agents.
Detectives believe the gold was transferred to overseas accounts.
The victim’s family contacted the Sheriff’s Office after learning all her assets were gone. Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office and agents with the FBI launched a joint investigation.
On Sept. 17, detectives and deputies with the Sheriff’s Office, agents with the FBI, and troopers with the Kansas Highway Patrol, including their Air Support Section, conducted an operation to take down the suspects. Law enforcement intercepted a fourth attempted transaction and arrested 27-year-old Krishna Bharanue Daggubati of Cummings, Georgia, and 29-year-old Sai Praveen Kommana of Frisco, Texas. Both men were booked into the Sedgwick County Adult Detention Facility on charges of felony theft by deception and mistreatment of a dependent adult.
Detectives believe the ringleader of the scam is not in the United States and directed the scheme by communicating with the victim and his couriers.
Sheriff Jeff Easter reminds residents to remain alert. “These criminals prey on some of the most vulnerable members of our community,” Easter said. “I encourage family members to watch out for their loved ones, especially the elderly, who are often targeted by these scams. The Sheriff’s Office will never ask for money over the phone; not for missing jury duty, not for a warrant, and we will never offer to safeguard your assets.