Stolen Vehicle Leads To Cache Of Gold Connected To $2 Million Elder Fraud Scheme

A vehicle that was reported stolen in New York was recently spotted in Virginia, and it led authorities to a cache of gold coins connected to an alleged $2 million fraud scheme.

The Charles City County Sheriff’s Office said a Flock alert on Aug. 9 indicated a vehicle reported stolen in New York had turned up in the area. Deputies stopped the vehicle in the area of Courthouse Road and Lott Cary Road near Charles City, southeast of Richmond.

The two occupants were taken into custody, but a search of the vehicle indicated the case was about more than just a car theft. Inside, deputies found a box containing gold coins and a gold bar.

Detectives from the Special Investigations Section were called to the scene, and assistance was requested from the federal Homeland Security Investigations office in Norfolk.

The sheriff’s office said its special investigators were aware of fraud schemes targeting elderly victims by persuading them to purchase gold to give to the scammers. The gold is then transported to Flushing, N.Y., where it is melted down.

After interviewing the suspects, whose identities were not immediately released, and following further investigation, the sheriff’s office identified a possible victim in James City County. The James City County Police Department contacted the suspected victim.

Despite not having reported a fraud complaint, the victim confirmed that he had made payments to the suspects on “several occasions.”

Both suspects were transported to Riverside Regional Jail on charges connected to the stolen vehicle and “larceny by trick.”

The “multi-agency, multi-state” investigation remains ongoing, and detectives believe the fraud scheme potentially extends to Pennsylvania, Illinois, Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, and New York.

Chief Deputy Kenton Givens said approximately $2 million is expected to be returned to the victim in James City County.