Indian National Held In Gold Scam Targeting Elderly Victims

India-West News Desk

KENTWOOD, LA -A New Jersey man has been arrested in an interstate gold scam targeting elderly victims, following a coordinated investigation by law enforcement agencies in Louisiana and Texas.

Nigam Bhatt, 25, of Parsippany, New Jersey, an Indian national in the United States on a work visa, has been booked on extortion charges. He was taken into custody April 7 in an operation involving the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office in Louisiana, Collin County (Texas) Sheriff’s Office, and Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office.

The case emerged after Collin County detectives alerted Louisiana authorities to a multi-state fraud scheme in which victims were falsely told their bank accounts and Social Security benefits had been frozen. They were then instructed to convert funds into gold to secure the release of their assets. Investigators identified multiple elderly victims, including one in the Kentwood area.

Acting on intelligence about Bhatt’s movements, TPSO detectives, under the direction of Criminal Investigations Captain John Gardner, intercepted him before he could collect an additional $800,000 in gold from the local victim.

Authorities said the investigation remains active and may involve additional victims. In a public advisory, Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Gerald Sticker urged residents to remain cautious.

“Hang up and call your banking institution to verify the caller’s claims,” Sticker said. “Never provide personal or financial information over the phone and never send money or valuables to strangers online, by mail or through suspicious meet-ups.”