19-year-old arrested in Lee County computer scam targeting elder victims

SANFORD, N.C. (WTVD) -- A man was arrested Thursday in connection to computer scam targeting an elder victim.

Avinash Chandreshbhai Patel,19, of Apex, is facing charges of attempted obtaining property by false pretense and felony conspiracy.

According to the Lee County Sheriff's Office, the victim was contacted by people falsely claiming to be from Microsoft, who convinced them their computer was locked and demanded money to unlock it.

The victim withdrew thousands of dollars, which was collected by someone involved in the scam.

The next day, these scammers tried to get even more money, prompting the victim's family to contact authorities.

Deputies arrested Patel during an in-person attempt to collect more money. He is under a $75,000 secured bond.

This is an ongoing investigation, and additional charges are pending.