At a Glance
- Hirtik Hemchand Khatri, 26, admitted to stealing $591,000 in gold bars and $91,000 in cash from a 74-year-old Pennsylvania man.
- The victim emptied retirement savings after scammers threatened arrest over a fake PayPal debt.
- Khatri received 12 months minus one day to 36 months in state prison plus two years’ probation.
- Why it matters: Authorities urge anyone who suspects a similar scam in Lehigh County to contact the Elder Abuse Task Force immediately.
A New Jersey man is heading to state prison after pleading guilty to extorting a Lehigh County retiree out of nearly $700,000 in gold and cash through a months-long Bitcoin-and-bullion scam, prosecutors announced.
Guilty Plea and Sentence
Hirtik Hemchand Khatri, 26, entered guilty pleas on November 20, 2025, to theft by extortion, theft by unlawful taking and related offenses, according to the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office. On January 16, Judge Maria Dantos sentenced him to:
- 12 months minus one day to 36 months in state prison
- Two years of consecutive probation
- Full restitution to the victim
The plea caps a Whitehall Township Police investigation that began with a single 911 call from a 74-year-old man who feared he would be jailed if he stopped paying.
How the Scam Unfolded
The victim told detectives he received an email flagging a fraudulent charge on his PayPal account. When he called the number provided, the scammer convinced him the debt was legitimate and that he had to repay it immediately.
Each follow-up call invented a new problem:
- Payments allegedly failed to process
- New “errors” required additional cryptocurrency, gold or cash
- The victim was warned arrest warrants would be issued if he refused
Believing he had no choice, the retiree drove to a local gas station and began feeding Bitcoin kiosks, then later funneled money into precious metals.
The Gold Haul
Over several weeks the victim:
- Withdrew funds from retirement accounts
- Purchased more than 200 gold bars totaling nearly $591,000 in value
- Hand-delivered the bullion plus $91,000 in cash to Khatri
Investigators said Khatri personally appeared at designated pickup spots, loading the loot into a sedan that was later flagged by license-plate readers.
Break in the Case
Whitehall Township detectives:
- Traced the car’s tag to Khatri
- Assembled a photo array
- Watched the victim immediately identify Khatri
The identification, paired with financial records and surveillance footage, led prosecutors to file charges.
Resources for Victims
Lehigh County’s Elder Abuse Task Force urges residents to call 610-782-3700 if they believe they have been targeted by a similar scam. Officials remind the public that:
- No legitimate company demands payment in Bitcoin, gift cards or gold
- Threats of immediate arrest over unpaid debts are a red flag
- Family members should check in on older relatives who may be reluctant to report fraud
Case Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Early 2025 | Scam emails and calls begin |
| Spring 2025 | Victim delivers gold bars and cash to Khatri |
| Summer 2025 | Whitehall Township Police open investigation |
| November 20, 2025 | Khatri pleads guilty |
| January 16, 2026 | Khatri sentenced to state prison |
Key Takeaways
- Single scam, massive loss: One victim lost $682,000 in retirement savings.
- Face-to-face pickups: Khatri met the victim in person, a tactic that helped police identify him.
- Quick conviction: Less than a year elapsed between the first police report and the state prison sentence.
Anyone with information about related schemes is asked to contact Whitehall Township Police or the Lehigh County Detective Division.
