GAITHERSBURG, Md. — A 23-year-old Illinois man became the second suspect arrested for allegedly impersonating government officials while targeting elderly Americans as part of a gold bar scam.
Neel Patel of Carol Stream, Illinois, allegedly identified himself as being with the Office of the Inspector General at the Federal Trade Commission while directing a Maryland woman to transfer all assets into gold bars. The victim reported that Patel contacted her in early March 2024 about an alleged identity theft related to a federal drugs and money laundering investigation. Patel allegedly told the victim that once her assets were transferred into gold bars, they would be picked up by an agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and held at the U.S. Department of Treasury for safekeeping.
The victim said she complied with Patel's demands and completed two separate deliveries of gold bars valued at more than $789,000.
Montgomery County detectives identified Patel as the courier who picked up the first delivery of gold bars worth more than $331,000. Detectives also previously arrested suspect Wenhui Sun for his involvement as the second courier who picked up gold bars from the victim.
A warrant was issued for Patel and he was arrested at Chicago O'Hare International Airport as he attempted to board a flight to Dublin, Ireland, on July 23. He was then extradited to Maryland on Aug. 6 and is currently being held at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit to await a bond hearing.
Police are also warning Americans to beware of scammers impersonating government officers and requesting sensitive financial information.