LIBERTY, NY — A 76-year-old Liberty resident reported a series of suspicious events that led to her losing $36,000.

The victim called the village police on May 1. She said she’d observed what she believed was a virus on her computer. Shortly afterward, she received a phone call from a man claiming to work for an antivirus company. He instructed her to withdraw her money from her bank account to prevent it from being hacked or stolen as a result of the supposed virus. He offered to help her deposit her money into a safer bank account.

Trusting his advice, the victim withdrew $36,000 in cash. The man arrived at her residence, and she handed over the money.

Liberty police officers recognized this as an ongoing scam targeting senior citizens. Working with the Broome County Sheriff’s Office and New York State Police, they located the suspect, Himachal Sagar, 43, of India, at a Binghamton motel. The Liberty officers recovered the entire $36,000.

Sagar was charged with grand larceny in the third degree, a felony. He was released on his own recognizance and ordered to appear in court later. He was required to surrender his passport.

Anyone who believes they might have fallen victim to a similar scam is urged to contact the Village of Liberty Police Department.