A Massachusetts woman lost approximately $340,000 in gold bars and Bitcoin after authorities say she was drawn into a government impersonation scheme involving a man who presented himself as a federal agent.
The victim reported the loss to Rochester police on May 26 after traveling to Raynham during the scheme. According to the New Bedford Guide, investigators say the man told her the assets were needed to help “stop the Russians.”
Rochester Detective Paul Douglas and Raynham Detective Patrick Leahy used automated license plate reader data, surveillance footage and other investigative resources to identify Amritpal Singh as a suspect. Authorities later traced him to New York.
U.S. Marshals took Singh into custody and returned him to Massachusetts. He appeared September 17 in Taunton District Court. The allegations against him have not resulted in a conviction, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The Supposed Federal Agent Said the Money Would Help ‘Stop the Russians’
Investigators say the victim met Singh in Raynham after being persuaded that surrendering her assets was connected to a federal operation involving Russia.
The available police account does not identify which agency Singh allegedly claimed to represent or explain the specific threat presented to the woman. Authorities also have not released a breakdown showing how much of the approximately $340,000 loss involved physical gold and how much was transferred through Bitcoin.
Police have not publicly detailed how the initial contact began or how long the victim communicated with the people behind the scheme before the meeting in Raynham.
License Plate Readers and Surveillance Video Helped Identify a Suspect
Douglas began working with Leahy after investigators determined that part of the transaction had occurred in Raynham.
Automated license plate reader technology and surveillance footage helped detectives trace vehicle movements connected to the investigation. Police said those records, combined with additional investigative work, led them to Singh.
The case then expanded beyond Massachusetts. Investigators received assistance from the FBI Metro Boston Gang Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the U.S. Marshals Service, Massachusetts State Police, the New York Police Department and New York State Police.
Singh Was Located in New York and Returned to Massachusetts
Task force members executed a search warrant after investigators located Singh in New York. The U.S. Marshals Service arrested him and authorities brought him back to Massachusetts to face charges, according to the Fall River Reporter.
At his Taunton District Court appearance, Singh was held as a fugitive from justice based on an outstanding warrant from another state involving what police described as a similar alleged offense. Authorities did not publicly identify the state or provide details about that case.
Investigators also developed information they say links Singh to a larger criminal organization operating across the United States. No additional defendants were announced in connection with the Rochester investigation when police disclosed the arrest.
Federal authorities determined that Singh was unlawfully present in the United States, according to the police account.
Government Officials Will Not Ask for Gold or Bitcoin
The Federal Trade Commission warns that legitimate government officials will not instruct people to buy gold bars, withdraw cash or move savings to supposedly protect money from criminals or government action.
Government impersonators may also demand cryptocurrency. Anyone unexpectedly told to purchase Bitcoin, transfer cryptocurrency to a particular wallet or surrender precious metals should stop the transaction and independently contact the agency the caller claims to represent.
Do not verify the story using a telephone number, website or contact information supplied by the caller. Find the agency’s official contact information independently and ask whether the person or investigation described actually exists.
Anyone who has already purchased gold or transferred cryptocurrency should stop further transactions and contact law enforcement promptly. Wallet addresses, transaction records, gold purchase receipts, telephone numbers, messages, vehicle information and documents supplied during the scheme should be preserved for investigators.