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WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. Vickram Bedi, 37, of 38 Hollow Oak Road in Chappaqua, was arraigned on Monday for his alleged role in a scheme to defraud the heir of Schlumberger Oilfield Services in excess of $20 million. He is being charged with first-degree grand larceny, a class B felony.
Bedi and his Mt. Kisco-based business, Datalink Computer Products, Inc., are charged with aiding, abetting and acting in concert to steal money from the victim Roger Davidson. Davidson, a composer and pianist, reportedly came to Bedi in August 2004 over concerns that he would lose his lifes work of music compositions when his computer developed a virus.
Bedi allegedly confirmed to Davidson that his computer had a virus, that is was specifically targeted for the victim, and his family was in grave danger. Davidson was reportedly told by Bedi that he was being tracked by the CIA and that Polish priests associated with Opus Dei wanted to harm him.
According to a release, Bedi allegedly convinced Davidson to begin payments on computer data retrieval and security, as well as personal physical protection. Over the next six years, Bedi allegedly began charging Davidsons American Express card regularly, totaling more than $9 million.
With assistance from New Castle and Mt. Kisco police departments, Harrison police arrested Bedi and his girlfriend Helga Invarsdottir, 40, in November 2010 at their Oak Road home as they were allegedly preparing to leave the country. Invarsdottir, who worked with Bedi at Datalink, pled guilty to first-degree and second-degree grand larceny on Dec. 14, 2010. Sentencing is pending.
As is charged in the indictment, this defendant preyed upon, duped and exploited the fears of this victim with cold calculation and callousness, said District Attorney Janet DiFiore after the defendant was arraigned. The systematic method with which the defendant continued the larceny over a six-year period, along with the sizable amount of money taken, is nothing short of heartless."
Bedis bail was restored to $5 million bond over $3 million cash with a bail source hearing ordered. He had previously surrendered his passport. His next court date is scheduled for Dec. 20th, 2011. Bedi faces a maximum of eight and one-third to 25 years in state prison.
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