Charlotte, February 18, 2026
Three men, including a Charlotte resident, have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a multi-million dollar international technical support fraud scheme targeting the elderly. The scheme, which defrauded thousands of victims, involved deceptive pop-up ads and fake tech support calls. The three defendants were ordered to forfeit over $3.7 million in proceeds from their illegal activities, showcasing a significant law enforcement victory against such financial crimes.
Charlotte
Three Men Sentenced in International Tech Support Fraud Scheme
A multi-million dollar international technical support fraud scheme primarily targeting elderly individuals has culminated in the sentencing of three men, including a Charlotte resident, to federal prison. The sentences were handed down yesterday, February 17, 2026, following their conviction for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The illicit operation defrauded thousands of victims across the United States and other locations, resulting in significant financial losses.
Nachiket Banwari, 36, of Charlotte, received a sentence of 30 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Hunter G. Mello, 42, of Sandwich, Massachusetts, was sentenced to 40 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Richard Paul Nolan, 60, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, received a 24-month prison sentence, also followed by three years of supervised release. In addition to their prison terms, the court mandated that the three defendants collectively forfeit $3,711,000 in proceeds obtained from the scheme.
Details of the Elaborate Fraud
The sophisticated fraud involved the deployment of malicious pop-up advertisements that appeared on victims’ computer screens, freezing their devices. These deceptive pop-ups falsely claimed that the computers were infected with viruses and urgently required technical support. Victims were then instructed to call a provided phone number for assistance.
When victims contacted the designated tech support line, they were connected to call centers, primarily located in India, where operators impersonated reputable tech companies like Microsoft. The fraudsters would further mislead victims about non-existent computer issues, pressuring them to pay hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of dollars for unnecessary “fixes”. The overall scheme orchestrated by Capstone Technologies, one of the primary entities, defrauded thousands of victims throughout the United States of more than $7 million. Nolan’s platform alone was associated with approximately $19 million in losses due to call routing.
Roles of the Convicted Individuals
Each of the three individuals played a distinct and critical role in facilitating the international fraud scheme.
Nachiket Banwari’s Involvement
Nachiket Banwari, based in Charlotte, worked for Capstone Technologies, a company headquartered in Charlotte that utilized the malicious pop-up ads and an Indian call center to perpetrate the fraud. Banwari was responsible for obtaining payment-processing services in his name, enabling the conspirators to process payments from victims. He also laundered the proceeds both domestically and internationally to bank accounts in India. For his participation, Banwari received three percent of Capstone Technologies’ revenue, totaling $222,334. He was indicted in April 2023 for conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering.
Hunter G. Mello’s Role
Hunter G. Mello acted as a broker, connecting Capstone Technologies to the India-based call centers. He also utilized his financial accounts to transfer millions of dollars in illicit proceeds to overseas bank accounts. Mello profited approximately $2 million from his involvement in the scheme.
Richard Paul Nolan’s Contribution
Richard Paul Nolan was instrumental in creating and operating the platform, known as TrackDrive, which routed the fraudulent calls to the Indian call centers. He also ensured that the deceptive pop-ups effectively locked victims’ computers, making them believe their devices were compromised. Similar to Mello, Nolan used his financial accounts to transfer money to overseas accounts. His involvement in the scheme was associated with an approximate total loss amount of $19 million.
Law Enforcement Action
The successful conviction and sentencing were the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), with the announcement made by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina. This case highlights a nationwide effort to combat complex financial crimes, particularly those targeting vulnerable populations like the elderly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the main crime involved in this case?
The main crime was conspiracy to commit wire fraud as part of an international multi-million dollar technical support fraud scheme.
Who were the primary individuals convicted in this scheme?
The primary individuals convicted were Nachiket Banwari, Hunter G. Mello, and Richard Paul Nolan.
Where was the Charlotte-based company involved in the scheme located?
The Charlotte-based company involved, Capstone Technologies, was headquartered in Charlotte.
What was the total amount of money the scheme defrauded from victims through Capstone Technologies?
The scheme defrauded thousands of victims throughout the United States of more than $7 million through Capstone Technologies.
What were the sentences for the convicted individuals?
Nachiket Banwari was sentenced to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release; Hunter G. Mello, 40 months in prison and three years supervised release; and Richard Paul Nolan, 24 months in prison and three years supervised release.
How much money were the defendants ordered to forfeit?
The defendants were ordered to collectively forfeit $3,711,000 in proceeds from the scheme.
Key Features of the Tech Support Fraud Scheme
| Feature | Details | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Crime | Conspiracy to commit wire fraud | Nationwide |
| Convicted Individuals | Nachiket Banwari, Hunter G. Mello, Richard Paul Nolan | State-level (Charlotte for Banwari, others from MA, CO) |
| Sentencing Date | February 17, 2026 | Nationwide |
| Scheme Operation | Malicious pop-up ads, fake virus warnings, fake tech support calls | Nationwide |
| Primary Victims | Thousands, many elderly | Nationwide |
| Call Center Location | India | Nationwide (International aspect) |
| Charlotte-based Company | Capstone Technologies | State-level (Charlotte) |
| Total Loss (Capstone) | Over $7 million | Nationwide |
| Total Loss (Nolan’s platform) | Approximately $19 million | Nationwide |
| Forfeiture Amount | $3,711,000 (collectively) | Nationwide |
| Banwari’s Sentence | 30 months prison, 3 years supervised release | Nationwide |
| Mello’s Sentence | 40 months prison, 3 years supervised release | Nationwide |
| Nolan’s Sentence | 24 months prison, 3 years supervised release | Nationwide |
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