Authorities arrested Manpreet Singh, 31, of Alhambra, California, in connection with an elaborate gold scam that defrauded a 74-year-old Florida woman of more than $280,000. Singh was booked into Walton County Jail on July 15th after being extradited from California.
The case began when the Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) received a report from the victim who was contacted by scammers claiming her Social Security number was compromised. The victim was then transferred to a person pretending to be a federal officer who instructed her to safeguard her assets.
The victim was convinced to transfer $10,600 and purchase gold coins valued at $280,493 at a coin and bullion store. The scammers then arranged a delivery, instructing her to repackage the gold and leave it in a vehicle for a supposed “government agent.”
Investigators say Singh traveled from California to Walton County to collect the gold, which was then handed over to co-conspirators. The victim never recovered her money.
The scam unraveled when the victim’s attempts to contact the fake officer failed, with the phone number disconnected.
Singh was previously arrested on June 25th in California on similar charges. The WCSO praised the cooperation of the San Diego Police Department Criminal Intelligence Unit and the FBI Economic Crimes Task Force, who helped apprehend Singh during a related sting operation.
