Two Indian nationals were arrested June 9 in Petersburg in connection with an elaborate scam that defrauded a Petersburg resident of $129,000, authorities said.

Shubham Patel, 24, and Harshilkumar J. Patel, 22, both face charges of scheming to defraud and theft in the first degree, a felony carrying penalties of up to $100,000 in fines and up to 10 years in prison.

The arrests resulted from an investigation that began June 2 when a senior citizen reported being targeted by callers posing as federal officials, including a fake Drug Enforcement Administration agent using the alias “Sean Watson,” according to the Petersburg Police Department.

The scammers convinced the victim that her identity had been compromised and manipulated her into transferring $79,000 via wire transfer, followed by an in-person delivery of $50,000 in cash on May 20, police said.

When the suspects demanded an additional $60,000, law enforcement arranged a controlled delivery. The two men arrived in Petersburg on June 9 via Alaska Airlines, surveyed the area and redirected the meeting location before being arrested after receiving the cash, the police department stated in a press release issued June 10.

During the first appearance in court on June 10, conducted in Petersburg with a language interpreter on the line, Magistrate Judge Rachel Newport set bail at $300,000 for Shubham Patel and $100,000 for Harshilkumar Patel, citing concerns the defendants might flee the country.

Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Chaudhary told the court the state sought high cash bail because “the defendants appear to be part of an organized crime group with access to large amounts of money, and the investigation is still ongoing.”

She alleged that the defendants “traveled into Alaska only for the purpose of committing this offense” and expressed “serious concerns that the defendants will flee to evade justice.”

Police Chief James Kerr also addressed the court, saying he agreed with the state’s recommendation for a substantial bail, though he was concerned that the bail requested by the prosecution was not high enough.

During the proceeding, Shubham Patel stated a preference to hire his own attorney, and a representation hearing was scheduled for Friday, June 20.

Public defender Nico Ambrose was appointed by the court to represent Harshilkumar Patel; Ambrose argued for his client against the recommended bail amounts.

Ambrose strongly objected to the state’s request for a $300,000 bail. Ambrose told the court. “That’s the kind of cash bond that is imposed in murder cases and sex assault cases.”

Ambrose argued that the criminal complaint alleges his client had a relatively minor role in what the state is pulling out to be a much greater conspiracy.

The attorney also contended there was no evidence his client had access to large sums of money, asserting that bail set beyond a defendant’s ability to pay would be excessive.

Ambrose requested the court impose a $10,000 unsecured appearance bond with electronic monitoring, arguing an ankle monitor would be sufficient to track his client’s movements and prevent flight.

The magistrate considered his assertion and set Harshilkumar Patel’s bail amount lower than his codefendant — a combined cash bail of $100,000, compared to the $300,000 set for Shubham Patel. However, she acknowledged that the charging document’s allegations involve large amounts of money and suggest a possible ring of people involved in fraud that could have funds to bail out both defendants.

Both defendants were ordered to wear electronic ankle monitors as a condition of release and are prohibited from leaving Petersburg or Juneau without written court permission. They also cannot contact each other or several individuals named in connection to the case, including the victim.

According to court documents, investigators identified Shubham Patel and another suspect as having stayed at a Petersburg inn and used a U-Haul rental vehicle during a visit to town last month. They were also linked to purchases of thousands of dollars in gift cards and U.S. Postal Service money orders.

The charging documents state that Harshilkumar Patel, when interviewed by law enforcement, described being recruited by his co-defendant and instructed via a WhatsApp group chat by men he did not know to engage in surveillance of the victim’s vehicle in Petersburg and then contact her and receive the parcel of money.

The Petersburg Police Department credited the FBI, state district attorney offices in Ketchikan and Juneau and other cooperating agencies for their assistance in the case.

Both defendants are scheduled for preliminary hearings on Friday, June 20.

Chief Kerr said the case highlights how scammers prey on people’s fears.

He urged residents to contact law enforcement if they receive suspicious calls. “The biggest thing is people just need to talk to us. If there’s ever a question, call your local agency, and we will help them find out if something’s legit or not,” Kerr said.