In a startling turn of events, a Texas resident was charged with scamming an elderly woman in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, out of more than $100,000. The man, identified as Gautam Harkhani, 35, was later apprehended in Maine after police tracked his next victim.
The Scam and the Bucks County Victim
Officials say Harkhani convinced his victims in several states that they were in trouble with the law. He told the Bucks County woman that to clear her name she had to convert cash into gold and hand it over to him. The woman, who feared persecution, followed the instructions and ignored warnings from bank employees. After withdrawing more than $100,000, she was told to turn the money into gold coins, then to give the coins to a stranger at a nearby grocery store. The entire exchange was captured on camera, and investigators traced the rental car used by the man back to Harkhani.
Law Enforcement Response in Pennsylvania
Buckingham Township Detective James Crusemire told NBC10 that he has seen multiple victims in the last few months hand over cash or gold to strangers who claimed they could help. “He’s seen multiple victims in last few months turn over cash or gold to strangers thinking they were giving to someone who could be trusted,” Crusemire said. The woman’s case was one of the most recent examples of the scam’s reach.
Maine Operation and Arrest
While Pennsylvania police were still hunting Harkhani, investigators in Lincoln County, Maine, were alerted to a similar case. Authorities posed as the victim in that case and ultimately arrested Harkhani on Nov. 21. He was charged with theft by deception and criminal conspiracy. The arrest was the result of coordinated efforts between Maine and Pennsylvania law‑enforcement agencies.
Charges and Detention
Harkhani is being held at the Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset, Maine, pending a $50,000 cash bail. Officials say he may be working with others, and investigators in both states are looking for additional contacts.
Investigation and Public Appeal
“If you have any information on Harkhani, please contact Lincoln County Detective Jared Mitkus at 207‑882‑7332 or by email [email protected],” officials requested. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are eager to identify anyone who may have assisted the suspect.
How to Spot Scams
Crusemire warns that scammers can send documents and emails that look like they come from federal officials. “A closer look at the email address that sent the message can help,” he said. Police urge everyone to remember that legitimate agencies will never ask for money over the phone or through emails, and that no one should turn over cash, gift cards, or gold to strangers.
Key Takeaways
- Harkhani scammed an elderly woman out of more than $100,000 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
- He was arrested in Maine on Nov. 21 after a coordinated operation.
- The suspect faces theft by deception and criminal conspiracy charges and is held on $50,000 bail.
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The case underscores the importance of verifying the source of any request for money and reporting suspicious activity to local authorities.
