ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Two Indians plead guilty to elderly PayPal scam in Arkansas
During the sting, Gentry Police Officer David Williamson went undercover as the elderly victim. He was given fake money and got into an undercover vehicle to wait for the pickup.
-
1759953093.png)
Staff Reporter - Sat, 22, Aug 2026
- 01:21 EDT
- 34
Gajera Prashant and Dharaben Bavadiya / Gentry Police Department
Two Indians have pleaded guilty to a PayPal refund scam targeting an elderly victim and received suspended sentences following an undercover operation in Gentry, Arkansas, that led to their arrests.
The Gentry Police Department (GPD) said Gajera Prashant and Dharaben Bavadiya were arrested April 21 on theft charges after a sting operation in which Prashant and Bavadiya allegedly carried out a PayPal refund scam. The scheme involves a person convincing a victim that they had accidentally been given money that needed to be repaid to the scammer.
ALSO READ: Two Indian-origin men wanted in Mississauga rental fraud
Court records show Prashant pleaded guilty June 29, while Bavadiya entered a guilty plea Aug. 17. Both were sentenced to five years in prison, with the sentences suspended.
Gentry Police Detective Ryan Loftus said the sting operation came together with help from Homeland Security Investigations and Trilogy Media, a group that focuses on scam baiting. According to Loftus, Trilogy posed as a potential victim and ultimately convinced the suspects to come from India and pick up $29,500.
During the sting, Gentry Police Officer David Williamson went undercover as the elderly victim. He was given fake money and got into an undercover vehicle to wait for the pickup.
According to the affidavit, the suspects repeatedly changed the planned meeting location between the Harp’s parking lot and Jim’s Razorback Pizza. The Highfill police drone team monitored the activity and observed one of the suspects traveling between the two locations.
Bavadiya was reportedly dropped off at Jim’s Razorback Pizza, while Prashant returned to the Harp’s parking lot, where the money exchange took place. Investigators said multiple cameras captured the undercover officer handing over $29,500 in fake U.S. currency.
After the exchange, authorities moved in and arrested both suspects.
Prashant allegedly told investigators that he had met Bavadiya only about a week earlier and had been offered $300 to pick up a parcel. He also reportedly acknowledged knowing the box contained nearly $30,000.
Bavadiya told investigators she had recently arrived in the United States and claimed she had been instructed to take part in the scheme because her family in India was in danger. She also told investigators she was in the country for her clothing business, according to the affidavit.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
Leave A Comment
Related
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
Video
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login