On February 18, 2025, Detective David Davol of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a woman in Rangeley Plantation who had been defrauded of $40,000 as part of a “PayPal” scam. Upon investigation, it was determined the individuals were posing as Department of Justice Employees and had come to her house and demanded her money as part of an “investigation”. Det. Davol developed further information that the individuals would return the next day to collect another $32,000.
On February 19, 2025, when the individuals arrived, members of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office took Dev Patel (19) of Westford Mass and Love Patel (24) of Mansfield Mass into custody. Both individuals were arrested for Class C Theft by Deception and transported to jail. Davol was assisted by Chief Deputy Lowell, Det. Lt. St. Laurent as well as other members of the Sheriff’s Office. The appropriate Federal authorities were notified of the investigation which continues.
