Authorities in Louisiana Arrest ‘Gold Scammer’ Targeting the Elderly

(Kentwood, Louisiana) - A man from India has been arrested in Louisiana after he attempted to take gold from an elderly person.

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office announced on social media that, in conjunction with a Sheriff's Department from Texas, they were able to nab Nigam Bhatt, 25, who has been booked on Extortion charges.

According to a press release from the TPSO, Bhatt would contact elderly people and inform them that their bank accounts and Social Security benefits were frozen, and that the only way to access them was to give him gold.

Once the Collin County (TX) Sheriff’s Office began investigating this scam, they learned that Bhatt was heading to Kentwood to scam someone out of gold, and they contacted the TPSO.

On Tuesday, April 7, with assistance from the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office, Bhatt was taken into custody before he could take more than $800,000 in gold from the victim.

This scam targeting elderly people remains under investigation, and authorities are now asking the public to contact them if they know anyone who is a victim of this "Gold Scam." If you are aware of a victim or have information on this latest scam, contact the TPSO Criminal Investigations Division at 985-902-2088.

How to Identify A Scam

The Sheriff's Department reminds you to never give personal information to anyone you don't know, and never give your information to anyone who may contact you by phone.

Scammers are known to target the elderly, so if you have parents or grandparents, you need to ensure they are aware of this scam and others. Often, if something is too good to be true, it is likely a scam.

The TPSO also reminds you not to send cash or valuables to anyone who may contact you, and to remember that no police agency will ever call you to pay fines over the phone.

The suspect below is in the United States on a work visa.