(8-28-24) On Tuesday evening August 27 investigators with the Decatur Police Department and Adams County Sheriff’s Office arrested two suspects in Monroe for allegations of fraudulent activity. These suspects were identified as Lalit Kumar (22) and Amit Kumar (23), both of Indianapolis, Indiana.

The initial investigation began when a resident of Monroe came to the Decatur PD earlier in the day on August 27, 2024 to report being scammed. It was learned the victim had received a phone call the day prior (8/26/2024) from the scammer(s) and the victim believed their personal data and finances to be in great peril. As a result of the scam the victim lost a very large sum of money. The reason this was reported to the Decatur PD is because the scammer(s) instructed the victim to meet them in a parking lot of a business in Decatur where they “took payment” from the victim to resolve the “security concern ” with their personal data. A report was taken due to the victim’s financial loss and the investigation turned over to detectives.

Later the same day (8/27/2024) the scammer(s) contacted the same victim again, asking for more money. The victim now understanding this being a scam worked with area investigators and a “sting” operation took place to catch the suspect(s). It was believed the suspect(s) would want to meet in Decatur again. While investigators were preparing and still working with the victim two suspects showed up to at the victim’s residence, in Monroe. When presented with this “curve ball” swift and decisive action was taken by officers in the area and both suspects were apprehended without any further incident or use of force. No weapons were located on the suspects. At this time this is still an ongoing and active investigation and so no further comment will be made by this department.

The Decatur Police, Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Monroe Marshall’s Office and Indiana State Police all assisted with this investigation.

COMMENT FROM DECATUR POLICE CHIEF

The outcome of this unique incident is incredibly rare, and most often arrests cannot be made due to jurisdictional or international limitations. I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to always remain on alert for scams. Individuals like this spend more time devising ways to take from hard working, productive members of society than they do at actually becoming productive members of society themselves. A great and wonderful thing about our community in Decatur and greater Adams County is that we very much are that, a community; one who watches out for each other, is willing to help those in need, and predominately wants to believes people are well intentioned. We can continue to be this type of community despite the frustrations of these scammers.

I urge you all to have discussions with each other about scamming techniques you’ve experienced and help warn any older or elderly people in your lives who are always the highest targeted groups. Some things you can do to protect yourself are;

  1. Don’t answer the phone if you don’t recognize the number. Voicemail is a perfect solution to screen your calls.
  2. If you do answer the phone, don’t be afraid to hang-up despite the scare tactics.
  3. No government entity will ever want or request payment over the phone via gift cards. Mention of gift cards is a red flag.
  4. No reputable business or government entity will want any form of payment in large sums of cash in a secluded or questionable location. The large cash payment is a red flag.
  5. If the form of payment does not offer a true paper trail or way to track the monies being exchanged, that is a red flag.
  6. Never download any money transfer app on your phone despite the instructions the scammers are giving you.
  7. Ask for the caller’s name, their call back number, the name and address of their business or entity, and their supervisor’s name. If this is difficult to provide to you, that is a red flag.
  8. If the caller demands you stay on the phone with them while you go to the bank or to purchase the gift cards that is a red flag.