San Jose man arrested after scamming elderly Menlo Park resident out of $35,000 in cash
San Mateo County, California – A San Jose man has been arrested in connection with a disturbing scam that tricked an elderly Menlo Park resident into handing over $35,000 in cash, police announced this week.
According to Menlo Park authorities, the scam unfolded in mid-February when a 77-year-old resident received a text message claiming to be from both a well-known online retailer and a federal agency. The message falsely warned the victim of imminent legal trouble and threatened prison time unless a payment was made. Believing the message to be genuine, the victim, in a state of fear and confusion, withdrew large sums of money from several local bank branches over two days.
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On February 12, a courier—later identified as 22-year-old Arya Mehta of San Jose—arrived at the victim’s home to collect a box filled with the cash. The next day, the victim grew suspicious and contacted the police.
Detectives launched an investigation and quickly traced Mehta as the alleged collector. He was taken into custody at his residence on Wednesday and booked into San Mateo County Jail. Authorities have charged him with multiple offenses, including theft by false pretenses, elder abuse, and theft involving an access card.
Police say the case appears to be part of a larger, potentially international scam operation. Investigators are now working to identify additional suspects who may be connected to the scheme. They believe Mehta may not have acted alone.
“This arrest reflects our dedication to protecting vulnerable residents from predatory scams,” said Menlo Park police Detective Eddie Mazon. “We urge the community to stay vigilant and report suspicious activity immediately.”
Officials are asking anyone with information about this case—or who may have experienced a similar scam—to contact the Menlo Park Police Department at 650-330-6300.
The incident has prompted renewed calls for public awareness about common fraud tactics targeting older adults. Law enforcement reminds residents never to provide personal information, financial details, or cash to unknown individuals or entities without first verifying their legitimacy.
As investigations continue, police are urging the public to speak with elderly relatives and neighbors about how to spot scam attempts and where to report suspicious activity.
