A New Jersey resident, Bharat Awasarmol, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Portland, Maine to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and making false statements to an FBI agent.
Court documents state that Awasarmol, 49, participated with others in a scheme that targeted seven victims across five states, including Maine. Victims were contacted by individuals pretending to be government officials who instructed them to withdraw cash and buy gold for supposed safekeeping by the government. The imposters then arranged meetings between the victims and people posing as government agents to collect the money and gold.
Awasarmol was apprehended after FBI agents observed him accepting a package from a Maine victim who had been told by someone impersonating a Federal Trade Commission employee to deliver gold bars. Authorities say Awasarmol lied about his involvement when questioned by the FBI.
The conspiracy also involved victims from New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, and Virginia who were similarly deceived into handing over cash and gold.
Awasarmol could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for wire fraud conspiracy. He also faces up to five years in prison and another $250,000 fine for making false statements. Sentencing will occur after completion of a presentence report by the U.S. Probation Office. The sentence will be determined by a federal judge based on statutory guidelines.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI.
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