Press release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Jaspreet Singh, 29, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright, who is handling the case, stated that in July 2023, Singh conspired with others to obtain money, or other items of value, by fraudulently convincing victims, some of them elderly, to provide money and property to members of the conspiracy. Members contacted victims by telephone and falsely impersonated government officials, such as the United States Marshals Service, the Federal Trade Commission, or other federal agencies. Victims were told that illicit activity was conducted using their personal information, and in order to “clear” their name, and prevent law enforcement from arresting or prosecuting them, they had to pay money via wire transactions, gift cards, gold, and/or cash to the government. In some instances, victims were instructed to wire money from their bank accounts to various other bank accounts located around the United States, while other victims were instructed to withdraw cash from their bank accounts and deliver the “payment” to a “government courier” who was in fact, an active member of the conspiracy. Singh a co-conspirator, who served as a courier.
On July 25, 2023, Singh traveled from New Jersey to Orchard Park, NY. Singh was instructed to drive to the residence of a 76-year-old victim identified as “W.D.,” and collect several U.S. Postal Service packages, which contained gold bars. Later that day, he was stopped by the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office for speeding. During his interaction with law enforcement, Singh provided law enforcement with conflicting stories why he was in the area, and why he was heading back to New Jersey. Singh granted the officer permission to search his vehicle, during which the officer found a USPS package containing a large quantity of American Reserve Bullion 1-Ounce Gold Bars and shipping boxes. Law enforcement interviewed W.D., who told officers that he and his wife were told their identities were used in a fraudulent scheme and they needed to “clear” their names by purchasing gold bullion bars. If they did not, the victim stated that they would be arrested and prosecuted. As a result, W.D. suffered a substantial loss to his retirement funds and savings accounts.
The plea is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino.
Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.
Previously: