Man arrested in half-million dollar elder fraud case in Chatham County

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - The Chatham County Police Department has arrested a man in connection with a fraud scheme that cost an elderly Chatham County victim more than a half-million dollars, according to a press release.

On Friday, August 14, 2025, Chatham County Police Department detectives arrested 20-year-old Pranavkumar Baria and charged him with theft by deception (criminal attempt), elder abuse (criminal attempt), and trafficking an elder person (criminal attempt).

According to the press release, Baria was denied bond and remains in custody in the Chatham County Detention Center.

The Police Department is urging other potential victims to come forward.

Many times, victims of scams will feel embarrassed and ashamed when they realize that they’ve been conned out of substantial amounts of money.

They also may be fearful.

In this case, at least one of the suspects – a complete stranger -- knew the victim’s address and was bold enough to show up to their house.

The sophistication of this scam is one reason that we believe there may be other victims.

Please, do not hesitate to come forward.

Chatham County Police Chief Jeff Hadley

Baria was arrested after an intensive investigation by the Chatham County Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division.

Detectives say the victim was originally contacted by phone by a person claiming to be a representative of the victim’s financial institution.

After convincing the elderly victim that their bank account had been hacked, the caller arranged for both money transfers and the transfer of precious metals.

The victim eventually notified Chatham County Police, and on August 14, 2025, detectives and officers intercepted and arrested Baria, who had come to the victim’s home to retrieve more precious metals as part of the scam.

The investigation is active and ongoing, and Chatham Co. detectives believe that there could be more victims of the same scam in our area.

WTOC and the Chatham County Police Department urge everyone to remain vigilant against financial fraud and scams.

In the press release, the department states, “You can take steps to protect yourself by never providing sensitive personal or financial information over the phone. If you receive phone calls from anyone claiming to be with the fraud department of your financial institution, hang up. Then, reach out to speak with your local branch tellers or managers, who can assist you in looking into your account.”

Anyone with additional information about this scam or potential victims is asked to contact police.

Anonymous tips can be sent through the Chatham County Police Department app, or the Department’s online tip form found here: https://police.chathamcountyga.gov/Tips.

You can also call Crime Stoppers at 912-234-2020, where tipsters are anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.