TOMPKINS COUNTY, N.Y. — A New Jersey man, Akash B. Thakkar, 41, has been indicted on a grand larceny charge following an extensive investigation into a phone scam that led to the theft of $500,000 worth of gold bars from a local resident.
The New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation spent over a year examining the case, which involved two separate thefts in June and August 2024, each involving $250,000 in gold bars. Authorities identified Thakkar as the individual who collected the second shipment in August.
On September 24, 2025, the Tompkins County District Attorney’s Office presented the case to a grand jury, which issued an indictment for grand larceny in the second degree, a class C felony. A warrant for Thakkar’s arrest followed, leading to his processing in Ithaca and subsequent detention at Tompkins County Jail on October 8, 2025.
The scam operates by calling victims and falsely claiming a large purchase was made on Amazon. When the victim denies this, the caller warns that their identity and social security number have been compromised and transfers them to a supposed bank or credit union representative. Victims are then pressured to withdraw money or buy gold bars for “safekeeping,” which are later collected by fake couriers.
Authorities caution the public, especially seniors, to be wary of such calls and to hang up immediately if asked to withdraw large sums or buy gold bars. Victims are advised to consult trusted family members before taking any action.
