Ravinklejeet Mathon, 26, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for his involvement in a gold bar scam that led to the theft of a 94-year-old man’s life savings in Montgomery County. Mathon pleaded guilty in October to attempted theft and conspiracy to commit theft, receiving a sentence of five years in prison, with the remaining time suspended. He will also serve five years of probation following his release.
Mathon’s role in the scam involved convincing the elderly victim to exchange his life savings of $229,848 for three 1-kilo gold bars. Posing as a federal agent, Mathon engaged in phone conversations with the victim, coercing him into handing over his money.
Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy emphasized that the severity of gold bar scams, especially those targeting vulnerable individuals like seniors, presents unique challenges in dealing with white-collar crimes. He also noted that organized crime rings often operate behind these scams, complicating the prosecution process.
Mathon was arrested after he picked up the gold bars from the victim’s home. Authorities believe this scam is part of a larger series of similar incidents in Montgomery County, with over $6.3 million stolen from victims since the beginning of the year.
Local authorities are warning seniors to be cautious of scam calls, especially those involving immediate financial decisions. McCarthy advised against responding to unknown numbers or unsolicited messages, stressing the importance of consulting trusted advisors before making any financial commitments.