A man is wanted by the NYPD for grand larceny after allegedly orchestrating a scam that resulted in the theft of $9 million worth of gold bars from a 67-year-old victim in Manhattan. The incident occurred in April 2025.
According to police, the suspect deceived the victim online, convincing him that his financial assets were compromised and that purchasing gold bars was necessary to secure them. The scam allegedly included a fake computer alert warning of compromised assets. The pair arranged to meet at the intersection of West 81st Street and Broadway for the transaction, where the suspect reportedly took the gold and fled with it.
Experts estimate that $9 million in gold bars would amount to approximately 69 bars, totaling about 150 pounds. Security footage captured images of the man involved in the alleged scheme.
Gold and silver dealer Isaac Kahan noted that such scams involving gold assets are not uncommon. He stated that requests involving large dollar amounts upfront are often a clear indicator of a scam. Kahan, who collaborates with the FBI to identify suspicious purchases and connect victims with investigators, expressed surprise at the large quantity of gold involved, citing its significant weight. He also highlighted that a lack of understanding regarding the weight of pure gold can be a vulnerability for potential victims. The untraceable nature of gold makes locating stolen bars particularly challenging.
The suspect remains at large, and the NYPD has released a video and is appealing to the public for any information that could lead to his capture. Authorities urge anyone with knowledge of the suspect's whereabouts to contact Crime Stoppers.