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NY police arrest Tushar Sharma for $200k fraud
Sharma was released on his own recognizance and is scheduled to appear at Bainbridge Town Court on April 20, 2026.
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Jeffin T. Kaleekal - Wed, 08, Apr 2026
- 03:42 EDT
- 28
Tushar Sharma / New York State Police
Tushar Sharma, a 23-year-old Arcadia, New York, resident was arrested by the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation at Sidney, accusing him of committing a $200,000 impersonation fraud.
Sharma had allegedly called the victim claiming to be a representative from the Department of Homeland Security and falsely stated that there was a warrant for the victim’s arrest related to money laundering and narcotics trafficking, according to the New York State police.
To avoid arrest, as per the unnamed victim, she was told to withdraw large sums of cash and then instructed to package the money and drop it off at designated locations in the Bainbridge area.
She ultimately handed over large sums of cash on two separate occasions. On April 1, the victim was instructed to meet an individual who was purported to be a law enforcement officer to collect additional funds, to the tune of over $100,000, at a location in Bainbridge.
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This would have allegedly been the third time the victim paid money to Sharma. However, Troopers intervened and took Sharma into custody and the money was recovered.
Following his arrest, Sharma was charged with Grand Larceny in the 2nd degree, a class “C” felony, Scheme to Defraud in the 1st degree, a class “E” felony and Conspiracy in the 4th degree, a class “E” felony.
Sharma was processed at SP Sidney and subsequently arraigned at the Chenango County Jail. He was released on his own recognizance, ordered to remain in New York State, and is scheduled to appear at Bainbridge Town Court on April 20, 2026.
New York State Police believe that there are other victims related to Sharma's alleged crimes and have released Sharma’s mugshot in an effort to identify victims that may have had contact with him.
After Sharma's alleged crimes came to light, the New York State Police issued warnings to the public, especially senior citizens and their families, about a continued rise in scams where individuals are falsely told they are 'wanted on a warrant' and must pay money immediately to avoid arrest.
The authorities said that scammers are contacting victims by phone, text or email and often impersonating law enforcement officers, court officials, or government agencies.
The perpetrators then claim that the victim owes fines or has an active arrest warrant. The victim is then pressured to make payment using cash, gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or other non-traceable methods.
The police notified, "These claims are false. Law enforcement will never demand payment over the phone or request payment."
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