Three people have been federally indicted in an alleged gold-courier operation tied to approximately $3 million and multiple older victims.
Sudeep Khurana, Christian Matthews and Taylor Mitchell-Meeks are named as defendants in the federal fraud case.
Matthews and Mitchell-Meeks had previously been arrested during an attempted pickup involving an 87-year-old Michigan man and his wife, who had been instructed to convert approximately $250,000 in life savings into gold.
Undercover deputies intervened before the couple surrendered it.
Fake Federal Agents Said the Couple’s Savings Were Connected to Crime
The Kent County investigation began after the Ada Township couple reported that people involved in an online operation had gained access to their computer. The scammers allegedly posed as representatives of the Federal Trade Commission and Social Security Administration.
They claimed the couple’s savings were connected to criminal activity and needed to be moved for protection. The couple was instructed to withdraw its life savings and convert approximately $250,000 into gold bars. The supposed agents then directed them to meet a federal representative in Cascade Township and surrender the gold.
Undercover Deputies Took the Couriers Into Custody
Kent County sheriff’s deputies learned about the planned exchange and arranged an undercover operation. Matthews and Mitchell-Meeks allegedly arrived to collect the gold and were taken into custody. Because investigators intervened, the couple retained the approximately $250,000.
Matthews and Mitchell-Meeks initially faced Michigan charges that included conducting a criminal enterprise, obtaining money by false pretenses involving at least $100,000 and using a computer to commit a crime. Court records cited in earlier reporting indicated that both were being held on $500,000 cash bonds after their arrests.
The subsequent federal indictment names Matthews, Mitchell-Meeks and Khurana, according to WOOD TV. The station described the alleged operation as involving approximately $3 million and multiple older victims.
A Gold Purchase Is Not Required to Protect a Bank Account
The Federal Trade Commission says government agencies and legitimate financial institutions do not instruct consumers to protect money by purchasing gold, withdrawing cash or moving savings into a supposedly secure government account.
The recipient should end the communication and independently contact the agency the caller claims to represent. Telephone numbers, links and employee credentials supplied by the caller should not be used for verification.
Someone who has already purchased gold but has not surrendered it should contact local law enforcement before meeting any courier. The gold should remain secured while the buyer preserves purchase receipts, photographs, serial numbers, messages and delivery instructions.
Older Victims Can Contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline
Fraud involving someone age 60 or older can be reported to the Justice Department’s National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311. The hotline operates Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time and connects callers with case managers who can help identify the appropriate reporting agencies and recovery steps. Reports can also be submitted through ReportFraud.ftc.gov and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.