Two Montgomery County, Maryland, residents are sharing how scammers posing as federal agents wiped out their life savings. Their stories, law enforcement officials say, show the emotional toll these schemes take and the continued danger posed by fraud networks that remain active.
Montgomery County police and the FBI said that since 2024, eight people have been arrested in the county for government impersonation and tech support scams. Many more suspects, including overseas call center operators, are still at large.
At a news conference Monday alongside Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy and FBI Baltimore Field Office Special Agent Jeremy Capello, the victims shared their stories. Their last names are not being used to protect their identities.
An 82-year-old woman鈥檚 ordeal
For Lisa, an 82-year-old Rockville woman, the scam started with an email claiming her Social Security number had been suspended.
She called the number provided and was told her family was in danger unless she sent them money.
鈥淭hey told me they were watching me and my house. I was so worried 鈥� I can鈥檛 eat, sleep, I鈥檓 so afraid to go out,鈥� Lisa said.
Under pressure and fear, she wired away her life savings. She said the experience pushed her into a dark emotional place.
鈥淚 started even think about suicide, all that. Just terrible,” she said.
As the stress grew, Lisa said she lost weight, struggled to sleep and became afraid to step outside.
鈥淚 lost weight, and I started becoming depressed,鈥� she said.
A Germantown man targeted
Sahadev, a 69-year-old Germantown resident, experienced the same tactics. Scammers convinced him they were federal agents investigating crimes tied to his identity.
鈥淭hey took it all from me,鈥� he said.
He said the scammers sent fake identification, used multiple phone numbers and kept him isolated for days. The fear and urgency built until he handed over everything.
What authorities are warning
At Montgomery County police headquarters, Capt. Marc Erme with the criminal investigations division stressed how predatory the schemes are.
鈥淭hese scams exploit fear, trust and vulnerability. They are deeply personal crimes,鈥� he said.
State鈥檚 Attorney McCarthy said older residents are often targeted because they have more assets.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e almost identifiable. We see the same kinds of things happen again and again,鈥� McCarthy said.
He also warned that victims rarely get their money back.
鈥淚f you鈥檙e a victim of one of these things, you鈥檙e not going to get your money back,鈥� McCarthy said.
The FBI鈥檚 Baltimore Field Office said victims who stepped forward were essential to the investigation.
鈥淎mericans are safer right now because Lisa and Sahadev and others took action,鈥� Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul said.
Their reports helped law enforcement link Maryland cases to international scam call centers in India. India鈥檚 Central Bureau of Investigation dismantled those centers in December 2025, arresting six operators tied to the fraud.
Across the U.S., 660 people reported losing nearly $50 million to scams connected to those call centers, including more than $6.2 million lost by Marylanders.
What people should know
Authorities stressed that law enforcement will never call to demand money, threaten arrest or ask anyone to move funds for safekeeping. They said scammers rely on isolating victims and creating false urgency. Reporting suspicious calls or emails quickly can help prevent others from being targeted.
Lisa and Sahadev said they hope sharing their experiences will keep others from going through the same pain.
Lisa also said if she had a chance to talk with those who scammed her, she would encourage them to choose another path in life.
鈥淚’m sure they’re smart people. They shouldn’t use their wisdom to do something 鈥� help the other people instead of hurt people, especially old people,鈥� she said.
Victims of scams are encouraged to contact their local police department and file a complaint with the FBI鈥檚 .
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
漏 2026 草莓传媒. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
