Two men from Elk Grove, California, accused of impersonating U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to defraud victims of millions of dollars in gold, were arrested in Pennsylvania. Authorities found approximately $215,000 worth of gold bars and coins concealed within their vehicle during a traffic stop.
Gagandeep Singh, 24, and Ajaypreet Singh, 22, were taken into custody by Pennsylvania State Police on September 10 on Interstate 80 in Union County. The gold was discovered under the driver and passenger seats, as well as inside Ajaypreet Singh’s shoe, according to an affidavit filed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The traffic stop is believed to have uncovered a larger fraud scheme. The suspects allegedly contacted victims by phone and Telegram, posing as federal immigration agents. They threatened victims with arrest if they did not surrender gold, according to investigators.
One alleged victim, Angelo Sala, reported losing approximately $2.5 million. He stated that he was contacted beginning in June and instructed to purchase gold and hand it over to an individual in an out-of-state vehicle to avoid apprehension. An envelope containing a completed identity theft victim complaint and affidavit belonging to Sala was found among the items seized from the suspects' vehicle.
Investigators identified "Andrew Hall" as one of the fabricated identities used by the suspects. The alleged scheme had been ongoing for three months, during which more than $1.2 million in gold bars and coins were reportedly taken from Sala and other unidentified victims.
Following their arrests, ICE detainers were placed on both Gagandeep Singh and Ajaypreet Singh. These detainers request that local authorities hold individuals for up to 48 hours beyond their scheduled release so that immigration officials can take custody for potential deportation proceedings. While the official reports do not explicitly state their countries of citizenship, the ICE detainers indicate federal immigration authorities are seeking custody of both suspects.
Singh and Singh face multiple felony charges, including money laundering, conspiracy, and receiving stolen property. They are being held at Union County Jail in lieu of $500,000 cash bail each, with the ICE detainers remaining in effect. Their preliminary hearing, initially scheduled for Tuesday, has been postponed to allow them time to secure legal counsel.