Investigators with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office arrested a California man in a fraud case after he was in Crossville to pick up $50,000 cash from an intended victim, police said.
Ravi Ravi, 26, of Ontario, Calif., was charged on Friday in an investigation into attempted theft and computer-related offenses.
He was due to pick up the cash at the 19th Hole Restaurant at Lake Tansi.
Investigators allege that Ravi traveled to Crossville to collect the large amount of money from a person targeted in a scam.
He was charged with:
? Attempted theft of property, under Tennessee Code Annotated §39-14-103
? Violation of the Tennessee Personal and Commercial Computer Act of 2003, under Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-14-602.
Police said the arrest was part of a nationwide enforcement initiative targeting organized fraud schemes that prey on older adults and other vulnerable people across North America. The initiative brought together U.S. and Canadian law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, federal agencies, and private-sector partners to identify suspects, disrupt fraud schemes, and protect potential victims.
The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office led the local investigation with assistance from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Cybercrime Investigations Squad. The 13th Judicial District Attorney’s Office helped prepare for the operation.
Following the arrest, investigators worked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to analyze intelligence and develop additional leads.
Ravi is being held at the Cumberland County Jail on a $208,000 bond. His next court date is scheduled for Dec. 7.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) has lodged an immigration detainer for Ravi in connection with the alleged violations of federal immigration law.
“Financial crimes continue to target innocent citizens, often resulting in devastating financial losses,” said Cumberland County Sheriff Casey Cox. “These criminal operations frequently involve individuals working across state and international boundaries. Through strong partnerships with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, our federal partners, and law enforcement agencies throughout the United States and internationally, we are working to identify those responsible and hold them accountable. We encourage our citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity before becoming victims of these scams.”
The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office urges residents to call local law enforcement immediately if someone instructs them to withdraw cash, buy gold, or hand valuables to a courier. Scammers often impersonate trusted officials, demand secrecy, and pressure people to act before they can speak with their bank or law enforcement. If you receive one of these requests, stop and call law enforcement before handing over money or valuables, officials said.
