SAN ANGELO, Texas — A man accused of scamming a San Angelo senior citizen out of nearly $900,000 in gold has been arrested in connection to a multi-county $51 million financial fraud ring, authorities said.
According to the San Angelo Police Department (SAPD), the elderly victim was targeted by suspects posing as federal agents, who claimed his computer had been compromised. The scammers allegedly instructed the man to withdraw hundreds of thousands in cash and convert it into gold bars — which were handed over across four separate meetings.
The case was taken over by SAPD Detective Russell on July 31, who uncovered surveillance footage showing a suspect meeting the victim at a southwest San Angelo convenience store. Using vehicle records and a driver’s license photo, police identified the suspect as Muthukrishnan Palraj, a non-U.S. citizen in the country on a work visa.
Detectives issued a statewide bulletin, triggering support from multiple agencies, including:
Texas Department of Public Safety
Collin County Sheriff’s Office
Colleyville and Irving Police Departments
U.S. Department of State
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
On August 6, an arrest warrant for Financial Abuse of the Elderly over $150,000 — a first-degree felony — was issued. Palraj was taken into custody in the Dallas-Fort Worth area on August 11.
Investigators say he’s connected to additional scams throughout Dallas-Fort Worth and East Texas, with combined losses totaling over $51 million. If convicted, Palraj faces deportation following any prison sentence.
Public Warning Issued
SAPD is warning the public — especially seniors and caregivers — to be cautious of computer-related scams.
Authorities urge anyone who believes they or a loved one may have been a victim of a similar scheme to contact law enforcement immediately.
