Woman loses $126k life savings trying to protect bank account – but her ‘undercover agent’ notes helped unveil truth

A WOMAN has been scammed out of $126,000 of her life savings after a thief tricked her into believing he was an undercover agent.

Sagar Patel, aged 27, was convicted and sentenced recently for his role in persuading an elderly woman in Colorado to exchange her money for gold bars and then surrender them to him.

Mugshot of Sagar Patel.
Sagar Patel, 27, following his arrest in February 2024Credit: Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
Stacks of gold bars.
Patel convinced Noble to give him two gold bars worth $63,000 eachCredit: Getty

Charlotte Noble, 80, was told to call a mysterious number after a pop-up message told her she had a computer virus in July 2023.

The number led her to Patel, who said her bank accounts were compromised.

Patel promised he was an undercover federal agent who could help, prosecutors said.

The crook persuaded Noble to convert the money into two gold bars, each worth $63,000, and give them to him.

Luckily, Noble made a smart move during the exchange that later helped cops identify the thief.

Even as she handed the gold bars to Patel, who was posing as an undercover agent, Noble took notes about his car, as reported by CBS affiliate KKTV.

Subsequently, she provided details of the vehicle, including its description and license plate number, to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in Castle Rock, Colorado, located approximately 30 miles south of Denver.

Investigators said Noble’s decision provided “vital information” that cops used to track down Patel.

Using her notes, cops found the car was a rental tied to Patel. They then gathered his information from credit card and phone companies.

Detectives used location data from Noble’s phone and the car to put Patel at the scene of the theft, DCSO said in a press release.

Walmart shoppers warned after info-swiping devices uncovered at multiple stores as officials reveal red flags to know

“Surveillance footage further confirmed Patel’s involvement, showing him at the vehicle rental counter at Denver International Airport, a marijuana dispensary in Littleton, and at other key locations,” cops said.

Cops arrested Patel on February 1, 2024, in Jersey City, New Jersey.

He was convicted of criminal felony.

On Friday, he was slapped with the maximum sentence of six years in prison.

Bank tips for avoiding scams

As scams become more sophisticated with the use of artificial intelligence, it is important you know how to spot a scam:

  • Be skeptical of online deals that seem too good to be true, especially on social media.
  • Scammers will often use tactics to make you panicked so you make quick decisions – be cautious if you are told to take immediate action and verify who has contacted you.
  • Chase Bank warns customers to “never return any unexpected funds without calling Chase first.”
  • Never send money to someone you have only spoken to online or by phone as this is likely a romance scam.
  • Unless you 100% know who you are talking to, never give someone remote access to your device.
  • Never accept help from strangers at an ATM and always be vigilant when making withdrawals.
  • Do not send money or click any links indicating that you have won a prize.

Source: Chase.com

He was ordered to pay almost $144,000 in restitution.

Noble’s son, William Wilcox, spoke about the decision at Friday’s sentencing.

“While no sentence can undo what happened to my mother, this conviction brings a small sense of justice and closure for the family,” he said.

During his sentencing hearing, Patel apologized to the court.

“I wish I had [the] power to go back and fix that thing. I cannot,” he said, according to ABC affiliate KMGH.

Patel, an undocumented immigrant from India, is also under investigation for similar crimes in Delaware and New York, the DA’s office said.

A US Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer was placed on him, which means he’ll likely face deportation.

Deputy District Attorney Joe Ratner said during the hearing that Noble was robbed of her life savings.

“If you come to Douglas County to scam senior citizens out of gold bars, you can expect to be behind prison bars,” Ratner said.

Hacker using laptop and tablet to hack into a system.
Patel told his victim he was an undercover agent who could help her fix her computer virusCredit: Getty
You May Also Like

Concerns increase for British backpacker Alexandra Clarke missing following a dive boat fire as search continues off ‘Death Island’

Concerns have heightened for a 26-year-old British traveler who disappeared after allegedly…

JD Vance, Vice President, admits errors in Elon Musk’s takeover of DOGE

Vice President JD Vance Acknowledges Mistakes in DOGE Overhaul and emphasizes the…

“Police Offered Snack to Obtain Luigi Mangione’s DNA Following Illegal Search, Lawyers Claim”

Luigi Mangione’s lawyers in Pennsylvania have requested the court to dismiss evidence…

Legal experts discuss the possibility of Trump overturning Biden’s pardons

President Donald Trump sparked confusion when he declared President Biden’s pardons ‘void,…

“Footage of North Korean Quadbike Troops Defeated in Kursk Battle amidst Putin’s Military Intervention”

THIS is the moment North Korean quadbike troops are wiped out in…

Trump stops Secret Service protection for Joe Biden’s children Hunter and Ashley, criticizing the wasteful use of taxpayer money

DONALD Trump has sensationally ended Hunter Biden’s Secret Service protection “effective immediately”.…

“Trump Invalidates Biden’s Pardons Signed by Autopen, Insists Joe Had No Knowledge of Them”

DONALD Trump has ripped into Joe Biden and said all of his…

Survival Story: Fisherman Lost at Sea for 3 Months – Nourished by Turtles, Birds, and Cockroaches

A FISHERMAN managed to survive after being lost at sea for three…

Jason Isaacs from White Lotus reveals he enjoyed being someone else while battling drug addiction, but is now celebrating 25 years of sobriety

Jason Isaacs has admitted he ‘liked not being himself’ during his decades-long…

– Labour in Turmoil: Starmer Faces Backlash from Left Wing Members Over Benefit Cuts Plan

Keir Starmer is bracing for an ‘absolute horror’ clash with Labour MPs…

“Russian Spies Accused of Firebombing IKEA Store After Bribing Teen with BMW – Is This Putin’s Most Bizarre Plot Yet?”

RUSSIAN spies were behind a bizarre mission to firebomb an IKEA store…

Gene Hackman’s Wife Allegedly Contacted Doctor’s Office Posthumously, Claims Physician

A New Mexico doctor claimed that Gene Hackman’s wife called his office…