Coronavirus Scam Targets South Brunswick, West Windsor Pizzerias

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — South Brunswick police say this man placed large food orders at local pizzerias and Italian restaurants — saying the food was for healthcare workers and first responders fighting the coronavirus — but then never paid for the orders.

In addition, the man also made several statements about Italians, saying he wished they would be afflicted with the coronavirus, said police.

Sudeep Khetani, 34, is thought to have made the calls from Orlando, Florida, where he is currently on probation for selling fake Disney World tickets.

South Brunswick police say Khetani placed large food orders at local pizza parlors over the past month. Each time he either indicated he would pick up the order or it was intended for local police.

In total, several thousand dollars have been lost by the pizzerias from the fraud in three counties in New Jersey, said police. In South Brunswick, Khetani targeted Kendall Park Pizzeria, Capriccio Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant, Pizza Delizia Restaurant, Giuseppe Pizzeria and Restaurant and Pierre's Deli.

Nearby, he also worked his scam on pizzerias and restaurants in Montgomery, Plainsboro and West Windsor, said police.

Khetani used a voice override service to mask his real phone number, but South Brunswick Detective Tim Hoover and Middlesex County Prosecutors Office Detective Ryan Tighe were able to track his true identity. That's how they tracked him to the Orlando area.

Khetani is currently charged with theft, but an additional investigation is being conducted to determine if the crimes were bias in nature. Authorities are also looking at the cases as potential cyber harassment.

“It is incomprehensible that a suspect would play on the goodwill of so many during these difficult times. The suspect once placed an order saying it was coming to South Brunswick Police," said South Brunswick Police Chief Chief Raymond Hayducka. "We have had several residents send us food, which I appreciate tremendously, but this suspect has gone to a new low. Our businesses are all struggling and every dollar matters. I am not sure there is an adequate charge for what he is doing.”