Police Say Man Scammed Woman Out Of Over $100K

Delaware State Police detectives have arrested 35-year-old Rakeshkumar Patel of Flushing, New York, for felony theft following a joint financial crimes investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Officials said in February 2024, a woman from Millsboro contacted Delaware State Police to report that she had been the victim of a scam. During the joint investigation with the FBI, detectives learned that starting in October 2023, a suspect had impersonated a federal agent and convinced the victim that she needed to convert her money into gold. The suspect told her to give the gold to him for transport to the U.S. Treasury for safekeeping. Through investigative means, detectives identified Rakeshkumar Patel as one of the suspects involved in the scam. The investigation is ongoing as detectives work to identify other suspects.

On May 20, 2024, Patel was arrested near Millsboro and taken to Troop 4. He was charged with theft over $100,000 (Felony) and wearing a disguise during the commission of a felony (Felony). Patel was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $103,000 cash bond.

Authorities urge anyone with information about this case to contact Delaware State Police or the FBI as the investigation continues.