Posted on: October 13, 2025 09:45 AM

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Arrest made in connection with phone scam after victim in Tompkins county lost thousands

New York State Police are reminding the public to please talk with loved ones, friends and neighbors about phone scams that tell a victim to withdraw large sums of money or buy gold bars to “protect their assets”. Victims are typically senior citizens.

In recent cases, community members have received a phone call from someone asking if the victim made a large purchase on Amazon, when the victim tells the caller that they did not – the caller then tells the victim that their identity and social security number have been stolen.   The victim is then “transferred” to someone who claims that they are from a credit union or a bank and advises that the victim needs withdraw their money or purchase gold bars so that it can be held for “safe keeping”. The scammers will send a “courier” to the victim’s house and collect the money or gold bars.

 

This is a scam.  Please do not fall for it.  Hang up and call a trusted family member.

Often times, law enforcement have a difficult time identifying the suspects and making an arrest.

In Tompkins County, members of the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation spent over a year on a case and charged Akash B. Thakkar, age 41 of Hiawatha, NJ with Grand Larceny in the second degree, a class “C” felony.  In June 2024, a victim was coerced to give scammers $250,000 in gold bars and another $250,000 in gold bars in August 2024.  Troopers were able to identify Thakkar as the male who picked up the gold bars in August 2024.  

On September 24, 2025, the Tompkins County District Attorney’s Office brought the case before a Grand Jury who ultimately decided to indict Thakkar for Grand Larceny in the second degree.  An indictment, like any criminal charge, is solely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

A warrant was issued for Thakkar’s arrest.

From NYSP