Maine Victims Targeted in Gold Scam, Man Sentenced

An Indian National has been sentenced in Maine for an elaborate scam that targeted residents of several states.

Indian National Sentenced in Maine for Multi-State Gold Scam

We've reported on this type of scam before, in which criminals prey on people's insecurities about their savings and investments.

The U.S. Attorney for Maine says Prakashkumar Prajapati, 47, was in a Maine courtroom last week after pleading guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud.

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Prajapati is sentenced to nine years in prison and ordered to pay $1,897,386 in restitution.

Court records state that Prajapati worked with others in a multi-state scheme to defraud at least eight victims in five states, including Maine.

Maine Victim Instructed to Buy Gold and Give It to a Fake Government Employee

The scam begins with victims receiving calls from people posing as government officials.

These imposters instruct the victims to withdraw cash from their accounts and buy gold with it, which the 'government' will hold for safekeeping.

The callers then tell victims that a government agent will meet with them so they can hand over the cash and the gold.

Prajapati's role in the scam was to direct his co-defendant, Bharat Awasarmol, to meet with victims to take their gold and money.

Awasarmol was intercepted when FBI agents caught him accepting a package from a victim in Maine.

That victim told authorities the caller had posed as a Federal Trade Commission employee.

Maine Courts Sentence an Indian National For a Multi-State Scam Targeting Elderly Mainers

In all, the conspiracy targeted victims in Maine, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, and Virginia.

Prajapati caused $1,897,386 in losses to his victims, money he has been ordered to repay.

Awasarmol pleaded guilty in December 2025 and faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for wire fraud conspiracy, and up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for making a false statement.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of elder fraud, please call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11.