‘They took it all from me’: Victims of fraud in Montgomery County share stories to help others 02.03.2026

Two Montgomery County, Maryland residents, Lisa, 82, and Sahadev, 69, have shared their harrowing experiences of losing their life savings to scammers impersonating federal agents. These schemes, which exploit fear and vulnerability, have led to eight arrests in the county since 2024, though many suspects, including overseas operators, remain at large. Lisa was tricked into wiring her savings after an email claimed her Social Security number was suspended, while Sahadev was convinced federal agents were investigating his identity. Law enforcement officials, including Montgomery County State's Attorney John McCarthy and FBI Special Agent Jeremy Capello, highlighted the predatory nature of these crimes and warned that victims rarely recover their funds. The victims' reports were crucial in linking Maryland cases to international call centers in India, which were dismantled in December 2025, leading to six arrests. Across the U.S., these call centers were linked to nearly $50 million in losses, with Marylanders losing over $6.2 million.



















