Maine Woman Targeted in $40K PayPal Scam, 2 Men Arrested

Two Massachusetts men accused of targeting a Maine woman in a $40K scam were arrested in Rangeley Plantation.

Maine Scam Suspects are Both From Massachusetts

The Franklin County Sheriff's office identified the two suspects:

• Dev Patel, 19, of Westford, Massachusetts
• Love Patel, 24, of Mansfield, Massachusetts

Both of the men were taken to the Franklin County Detention Center.

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Maine Officials Say the Rangeley Plantation Victim Lost $40,000

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office learned of the PayPal scam on Tuesday and that the victim from Rangeley Plantation had lost $40,000. Through an investigation into the incident, deputies identified two suspects, Dev and Love Patel, who they say posed as employees of the United States Department of Justice. The men had allegedly gone to the woman's house and demanded her money as part of what they told her was an investigation.

Deputies say the men were planning to return to the victim's house on Wednesday to collect another $32,000 from the Maine woman.

Deputies Waited for the Suspects to Return to the Victim's Home

WGME-TV reports that when the men returned to the victim's home on Wednesday, deputies were waiting for them and they were arrested. Both of the men were charged with theft by deception and taken to jail.