CARLSBAD, CA — Carlsbad police, in coordination with federal and county investigators, have arrested two suspects in separate elder fraud cases involving more than $140,000 in stolen cash and gold bullion, the department announced on May 15.
The arrests followed two nearly identical schemes in which elderly victims were deceived by individuals posing as federal agents or fraud investigators, convincing them to turn over their life savings under false pretenses.
In the first case, a Carlsbad woman was scammed out of approximately $121,000 after a fake computer pop-up on March 24 directed her to call a number allegedly connected to Apple and Wells Fargo security officials. Believing her identity had been compromised, she followed the scammers’ instructions to withdraw her funds and buy gold to “protect” her assets.
Over several days, the victim placed the cash and gold in shoeboxes and handed them to a man claiming to be a federal courier. On April 3, Carlsbad police arrested Tang Chen, 37, of Ontario, at the victim’s home during a scheduled pickup. He was booked into the Vista Detention Facility on felony charges of elder theft, obtaining money by false pretenses, and criminal conspiracy.
In the second case, reported on April 29, another elderly Carlsbad resident was contacted by someone claiming to be a Federal Trade Commission investigator named “Jack Brown.” The caller instructed the victim to withdraw $10,000 in cash and deliver it to a supposed courier in exchange for an “American Depository Receipt.”
While officers were interviewing the victim on May 1, the scammer called again, asking for an additional $10,000. Police prepared a decoy envelope filled with fake $100 bills. Later that day, Gurjant Singh, 33, of Riverside County, arrived to collect it. He was arrested on Interstate 5 and charged with felony elder theft and conspiracy.
Both cases are under active investigation by Carlsbad Police, the FBI Elder Justice Task Force, and the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.
Officials warn that elder fraud is a growing problem, with scammers frequently impersonating government agents. According to the San Diego Elder Justice Task Force, these scams cost seniors over $100 million annually across the region.
“No legitimate agency will ever ask for cash, gold, or personal assets to be handed over to a courier,” the agencies emphasized in a joint statement. “Always verify suspicious claims with law enforcement or a trusted family member.”
The Carlsbad Police Department and DA’s Office declined further comment.
