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Two Arrests Made in Elder Fraud Cases Targeting Menlo Park and Atherton Seniors

A San Jose man and a woman were arrested this week in separate scams involving coercion and impersonation, with investigations uncovering potential international links.

Menlo police cars parked at the station. Michelle Le/The Almanac
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Overview

  • Menlo Park police arrested 22-year-old Arya Mehta for allegedly scamming a 77-year-old resident out of $35,000 in February using threats and fraudulent texts.
  • Atherton police arrested a 57-year-old woman for impersonating a PayPal representative in an attempt to defraud an elderly resident of $15,000; no money was exchanged before her arrest.
  • Both suspects were booked into San Mateo County Jail on charges including elder abuse and theft by false pretenses, with formal charges pending from the district attorney.
  • Authorities are investigating possible international connections and additional participants in the Menlo Park scam, while no link between the two cases has been confirmed.
  • Police urge residents to stay vigilant against scams by avoiding unknown links, safeguarding personal information, and reporting suspicious activity immediately.