New York Man Extradited to Lenoir County in Elder Fraud Investigation
The Lenoir County Sheriff's Office has arrested and extradited a New York man in connection with an investigation involving an elderly Lenoir County resident who was defrauded through a sophisticated scam.
In May 2026, an elderly female victim was contacted by individuals posing as representatives of the federal government. The scammers called from telephone numbers that appeared to originate from Washington, D.C., and falsely claimed that the victim's bank accounts had been compromised by criminals.
Believing she was protecting her finances, the victim was instructed to send money through multiple methods, including wire transfers, cash mailed inside a personal safe, and Apple gift cards.
Detectives with the Lenoir County Sheriff's Office General Investigations Division (GID) launched an investigation and identified Ravi Punia, 21, of Jamaica, New York, as one of the individuals responsible.
GID detectives obtained arrest warrants for Punia and coordinated with the Nassau County Police Department in New York regarding his whereabouts. On June 12, 2026, the Nassau County Police Department arrested Punia on the outstanding Lenoir County warrants. He was subsequently extradited to North Carolina by the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections and transported to the Lenoir County Jail.
Following his arrival in Lenoir County, Punia appeared before a magistrate, who issued a secured bond. He remains confined in the Lenoir County Jail.
Punia has been charged with:
Obtaining Property by False Pretenses
Possession of Stolen Goods
Two Counts of Obtaining Identification Using False Information
The Lenoir County Sheriff's Office extends its sincere appreciation to the Nassau County Police Department and the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections for their assistance and cooperation throughout this investigation.
Sheriff Jackie Rogers also reminds residents, especially senior citizens, to be cautious of unsolicited phone calls from individuals claiming to represent government agencies or financial institutions. Government agencies will not demand payment through wire transfers, mailed cash, gift cards, or other unconventional payment methods. Anyone who receives a suspicious call or believes they may be the victim of a scam is encouraged to contact the Lenoir County Sheriff's Office before sending money or providing personal information.
