Man Who Directed Gold and Cash Pickups From Seniors in Five States Gets 9 Years in Maine

Published Nov. 9, 2026. Case status is current as of that date.

The calls came from people claiming to be government officials. They told older Americans to withdraw cash and buy gold, then hand it over to the government "for safekeeping." Federal prosecutors in Maine say the person who arrived to collect it was part of a criminal conspiracy. On Nov. 5, 2026, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maine announced that Prakashkumar Prajapati, 47, an Indian national, had been sentenced to nine years in prison and ordered to pay $1,897,386 in restitution [1].

Status: Prajapati pleaded guilty on Jan. 15, 2026, to conspiring to commit wire fraud and was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker in Portland. His co-defendant, Bharat Awasarmol, pleaded guilty on Dec. 9, 2025, and is scheduled to be sentenced in January 2027 [1].

How the scheme worked

According to court records described by the U.S. Attorney's Office [1]:

• Victims received phone calls from people posing as government officials.
• The impostors told them to withdraw cash and purchase gold to turn over to the government "for safekeeping."
• The callers then arranged for victims to meet fake government agents and hand over the cash and gold.
• Prajapati directed Awasarmol to collect gold and cash from victims.
• In Maine, a victim had been told by someone posing as an employee of the Federal Trade Commission to meet Awasarmol and give him gold bars. FBI agents intercepted Awasarmol as he accepted a package from that victim.
• Prajapati and co-conspirators also collected cash and gold from seven more victims in New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey and Virginia, "all of whom had been deceived by individuals posing as government officials."

In all, the conspiracy defrauded at least eight victims in five states and caused $1,897,386 in losses, according to the release. It does not name the victims, and neither do we. It also does not identify the callers, which is typical in these cases: the people on the phone are often overseas, while couriers and handlers on the ground are the ones who get arrested.

The people and their status

Prakashkumar Prajapati, 47. Pleaded guilty Jan. 15, 2026, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Sentenced to nine years in prison and ordered to pay $1,897,386 in restitution [1]. The release describes him as an Indian national in the U.S. illegally; it does not give a U.S. city of residence.

Bharat Awasarmol. Pleaded guilty Dec. 9, 2025. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on the wire fraud conspiracy charge, and up to five years and a fine of up to $250,000 on a false statement charge, according to the release. He is scheduled to be sentenced in January 2027 [1]. The release does not give his age or city. Until sentencing, his final penalty is pending.

The FBI investigated the case.

Why "safekeeping" is the giveaway

No U.S. government agency, including the FTC, the FBI, the Federal Reserve or the Treasury, will ask you to convert savings into gold, cash or cryptocurrency, and none will send a courier to your home or a parking lot to collect it. The "safekeeping" story is designed to make the victim feel they are protecting their money, not losing it. Scammers often tell victims that their bank accounts have been compromised, that their identity was used in a crime, or that a bank employee is involved, so the victim will not talk to the bank.

The FBI has warned about this pattern for years, and local agencies continue to report it. In Washington state, for example, the King County Sheriff's Office and FBI told KIRO 7 on Nov. 5 that gold bar scams had cost people in that county more than $4 million in three months [2]. That report is not connected to the Maine case.

Red flags

These are general warning signs, not claims about any person beyond what the court record shows.

• A caller says they are from the FTC, FBI, Treasury, Social Security or your bank's fraud department and that your money is at risk.
• You are told to withdraw cash or buy gold, silver or coins and keep it secret, even from family and bank staff.
• Someone offers to send a courier or "agent" to pick up the money or metal.
• You are given a password or code word to exchange with the courier.
• You receive "receipts" or official-looking letters confirming your assets are "protected."

What to do if you're targeted

• Hang up and call the agency or your bank using a number you look up yourself.
• Do not hand cash, gold or coins to anyone who comes to collect it. If someone is already on the way, call 911.
• Tell a family member or someone you trust. Scammers rely on secrecy.
• Report it to the FBI at ic3.gov, at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and to local police. Older adults and families can call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311).

Case status (as of Nov. 9, 2026)

Defendant	Court	Status	Source
Prakashkumar Prajapati, 47	U.S. District Court, District of Maine (Chief Judge Lance E. Walker)	Pleaded guilty Jan. 15, 2026, to wire fraud conspiracy; sentenced Nov. 4, 2026 (the Nov. 5 release says "yesterday") to 9 years in prison and $1,897,386 restitution	[1]
Bharat Awasarmol	U.S. District Court, District of Maine	Pleaded guilty Dec. 9, 2025 (wire fraud conspiracy; false statement charge also cited); sentencing scheduled January 2027	[1]

Statuses can change. The release does not give a case number.

Sources

1. U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Maine, "Illegal Alien from India Sentenced for Fraud Scheme Targeting Elderly Victims," Nov. 5, 2026. https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/pr/illegal-alien-india-sentenced-fraud-scheme-targeting-elderly-victims
2. KIRO 7 News Seattle, "Multi-million-dollar gold bar scam targeting the elderly on the rise in King County," Nov. 5, 2026 (context only; separate matter). https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/multi-million-dollar-gold-bar-scam-targeting-elderly-rise-king-county/RMIWYJCQNRB3PKQT2XJWC6NHMQ/

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