UPDATE - MARCH 11, 2026:
A California man involved in a large fraud ring has been found guilty after scamming a woman out of half a million dollars.
The Washoe County District Attorney's Office announced that a jury has convicted Amit Bhanwala-Singh of Exploitation of an Elderly Person and Attempt to Obtain Money Under False Pretense.
The case was handled jointly by the Reno Police Department, Truckee Police Department, and the U.S. Secret Service, Reno Resident Office.
“Older members of our community deserve protection, dignity, and peace of mind, not manipulation and financial devastation at the hands of organized fraudsters,” District Attorney Chris Hicks said. We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue and punish anyone who seeks to prey on vulnerable citizens.”
Bhanwala-Singh was part of a large fraud group that targeted older and vulnerable citizens using phone scams. The victim lost about $500,000 after being manipulated into making multiple deliveries of money and gold across California.
Deputy District Attorney Yu Meng represented the State. Sentencing for Bhanwala-Singh is set for April 23 before the Honorable David Hardy. He faces up to 30 years in prison.
Co-defendant Anil Kumar is set to go to trial on July 27 before Judge Hardy.
ORIGINAL STORY - MAY 15, 2025:
Two California men face charges in connection with a large-scale elder fraud scheme police say has scammed victims of millions across Northern Nevada and California.
Reno Police say they arrested 31-year-old Amit Bhanwala-Singh of Clovis and 35-year-old Anil Kumar of Fresno after they tried to collect a fake gold package worth over $213,000 from a victim who lives in Truckee.
Police say the scam, known as "pig butchering," targets elderly victims by impersonating federal law enforcement officials and convincing victims that their assets are under investigation. Victims are coerced into repeatedly withdrawing large sums of cash or gold and handing them off in person to fake "agents."
In this case, it was the 64-year-old woman in Truckee.
Police say between early April and mid-May 2025, she was manipulated into making multiple large transactions and deliveries across Northern California and Nevada. They say the investigation revealed that the suspects impersonated U.S. Marshals and used fear tactics to isolate and control the victim.
The Reno Police Department Financial Crimes Unit, detective division, RPD K9, MET, RNU, and the U.S Secret Service conducted a coordinated operation on Wednesday where they arrested both men.
They now face charges of Attempt Obtaining Money Under False Pretenses $100,000 or more and Exploit Older Person - $5,000.00 or more.
If you have any information that can help authorities, call or text your anonymous tip to Secret Witness at 775-322-4900.
