CARLSBAD — Carlsbad police, working with federal and county investigators, have arrested two suspects in separate elder fraud cases involving more than $140,000 in stolen cash and gold bullion.
The arrests, made in April and May, stem from two similar scams targeting elderly residents. In these scams, suspects posed as federal agents or fraud investigators and persuaded victims to surrender their savings under false pretenses, police said in a May 15 release.
In the first case, a Carlsbad woman was allegedly defrauded of roughly $121,000 after receiving a fake computer pop-up on March 24 directing her to call a phone number connected to individuals impersonating Apple and Wells Fargo security officials, police said.
The scammers allegedly told the victim that her identity had been compromised and convinced her to withdraw funds and purchase gold to “protect” her assets. Over several days, the victim placed the cash and bullion in shoeboxes and handed them to someone claiming to be a federal courier.
On April 3, Carlsbad police detectives arrested Tang Chen, 37, of Ontario, during a scheduled pickup at the victim’s home. He was booked into the Vista Detention Facility on suspicion of felony elder theft, obtaining money by false pretenses, and conspiracy to commit a crime.
In a separate case on April 29, another elderly Carlsbad resident reportedly received a phone call from someone claiming to be a Federal Trade Commission investigator named “Jack Brown.”
The scammer persuaded the victim to withdraw $10,000 in cash and deliver it to a person posing as a courier to secure an “American Depository Receipt, according to law enforcement.
On May 1, while police interviewed the victim, the scammer allegedly called again requesting another $10,000. Detectives prepared a decoy envelope containing fake $100 bills, which was picked up later that day by Gurjant Singh, 33, of Riverside County. Police tracked Singh and arrested him on Interstate 5, booking him on felony charges, including elder theft and conspiracy.
The Carlsbad Police Department, in collaboration with the FBI’s Elder Justice Task Force and the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, is continuing to investigate both cases.
According to the San Diego Elder Justice Task Force, more than a thousand seniors across the region are targeted by these types of scams, resulting in over $100 million in losses annually, the agency said.
“No legitimate agency will ever ask for cash, gold, or personal assets to be handed over to a courier,” the agencies warned. “Residents are encouraged to verify suspicious claims with a trusted family member or local law enforcement before taking action.”
The DA’s Office declined to comment for this story, and the Carlsbad Police did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Authorities urge anyone who suspects fraud or elder abuse to contact local law enforcement or report online to the FBI at www.IC3.gov. Concerns about possible elder abuse can also be reported to Adult Protective Services at 1-800-339-4661.
