A 25-year-old Indian national living in New Jersey on a work visa was arrested this week after allegedly attempting to defraud an elderly Louisiana resident of over $800,000 in gold bars.

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The suspect, identified as Nigam Bhatt, was intercepted by the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office (TPSO) following a multi-state investigation involving authorities from Texas and Louisiana.

The “Gold-for-Safety” Scheme

The incident followed a growing trend of “government impersonation” scams. According to investigators, the victim was contacted by individuals claiming to be federal agents. The scammers used the following tactics:

• The Threat: The victim was told their Social Security benefits and bank accounts had been frozen due to suspicious activity.
• The “Solution”: To protect their wealth, the victim was instructed to convert their cash into physical gold bars and hand them over to a “federal courier” for safekeeping.
• The Interception: TPSO detectives, alerted by the Collin County Sheriff’s Office in Texas, set up a sting operation. They apprehended Bhatt as he entered Kentwood to collect the gold.

Legal Consequences

Bhatt, a resident of Parsippany, NJ, was booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail on extortion charges. Because he is in the U.S. on a work visa, the case has been flagged for federal review, which could lead to deportation proceedings following the criminal trial.

A Growing Trend

This arrest highlights a surge in gold-related fraud cases across the U.S. Recent federal data suggests these rings often recruit individuals on temporary visas to act as “mules” or couriers.

Important Safety Note: Law enforcement and government agencies will never ask you to purchase gold, cryptocurrency, or gift cards to resolve a legal matter or “protect” your assets.

How to Protect Yourself

• Verify the Source: If you receive a call about frozen accounts, hang up and call your bank’s official number found on the back of your debit card.
• Guard Your Assets: Never agree to meet a stranger to hand over cash or valuables.
• Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect a scam, contact your local sheriff’s office or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).