GLASGOW, Ky. — A California man was arrested Wednesday after allegedly traveling across the country to Glasgow to retrieve $26,000 from a woman who had been scammed out of more than $150,000.

The Glasgow Police Department said investigators began looking into the case after a woman reported losing more than $150,000 over a two-week period.

According to a search-warrant affidavit filed Thursday in Barren Circuit Court, the woman was told she had been “hacked” and needed to secure her accounts. She was then directed to withdraw large amounts of money from her bank and either mail it or hand it to people in person.

On Aug. 12, the woman was directed to withdraw $26,000 and meet a man in the parking lot of Family Dollar on Columbia Avenue in Glasgow, according to the affidavit.

Multiple law enforcement officers staged in the area and arrested Akashdeep Singh, 24, as he allegedly approached the woman to retrieve the money at the direction of the person who had been calling her.

The affidavit states the person on the phone told the woman Singh had eyes on her and would approach her vehicle to retrieve the cash. Singh was on the phone when officers took him into custody, according to the affidavit.

In an interview with investigators, Singh allegedly said he traveled from California to Chicago, then Indianapolis and ultimately Glasgow to retrieve money from people. He allegedly told investigators he was to give the money to another person in exchange for $500.

Police said Singh was seen exiting a silver 2025 Ford Explorer with Colorado registration before approaching the victim. The vehicle was seized and secured at the Glasgow Police Department.

Investigators also seized an Apple iPhone from Singh, according to the affidavit.

An officer said he observed a WhatsApp call on the phone with a number that did not appear to have a U.S. area code. Police later obtained a search warrant for the phone to look for communications and other evidence related to the alleged scam.

Court records obtained by Barrenside show Singh’s address as Manteca, California.

Singh was charged with engaging in organized crime and theft by deception of more than $10,000. Additional charges are pending, police said.

Singh appeared for arraignment Thursday in Barren District Court, where his bond was set at $150,000 cash. The court record also lists an immigration hold.

An immigration hold allows federal authorities to request continued custody. The court record does not specify the reason for the hold or Singh’s immigration status.

Local authorities said Singh will first face the criminal charges filed in Barren County before addressing his immigration case.

Police urged anyone who believes they may have been the victim of a similar scam to report it to their nearest law enforcement agency.