The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office arrested a California man in Crossville as part of a nationwide enforcement initiative targeting organized fraud schemes that prey on older adults.
Cumberland County Sheriff Casey Cox said the arrest of Ravi Ravi followed an attempted $50,000 cash pickup at the 19th Hole Restaurant in Lake Tansi. Cox said the 26-year-old suspect from Ontario, California, traveled to the area specifically to collect the money from a person targeted in a scam.
“Financial crimes continue to target innocent citizens, often resulting in devastating financial losses,” Cox said. “These criminal operations frequently involve individuals working across state and international boundaries.”
Investigators charged Ravi with attempted theft of property and violation of the Tennessee Personal and Commercial Computer Act of 2003. Cox said the local investigation received assistance from the TBI Cybercrime Investigations Squad and the 13th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
“Through strong partnerships with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, our federal partners, and law enforcement agencies throughout the United States and internationally, we are working to identify those responsible and hold them accountable,” Cox said. “We encourage our citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity before becoming victims of these scams.”
The FBI assisted local investigators in analyzing intelligence and developing additional leads following the arrest. Cox said the broader initiative involves U.S. and Canadian law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and private-sector partners working to disrupt fraud schemes.
Ravi is being held at the Cumberland County Jail on a $208,000 bond. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has lodged an immigration detainer for the suspect in connection with alleged violations of federal immigration law.
Officials said in the release that residents should contact law enforcement immediately if they are instructed by anyone to withdraw cash, buy gold, or hand valuables to a courier. Scammers frequently impersonate trusted officials and demand secrecy to pressure victims into acting before they can consult with a bank or police.
Ravi is scheduled to appear in court on December 7, 2026.
