Fort Worth, TX — A man accused of playing a key role in an international gold theft scheme targeting senior citizens in Tarrant County and across the country has been arrested while allegedly attempting to leave the United States.
According to Tarrant County District Attorney Phil Sorrells, 35-year-old Muzamil Ahmed was arrested in New York as he attempted to flee the country.
Prosecutors allege Ahmed operated out of New Jersey and created shell corporations to launder money stolen from elderly residents before funneling the proceeds to a gold refinery in Florida.
Investigators say the alleged criminal network has caused more than $250 million in losses to more than 200 elderly victims in Tarrant County and nationwide.
Ahmed is accused of engaging in organized crime involving theft, financial abuse of the elderly and money laundering.
According to the District Attorney's Office, the U.S. Marshals, Port Authority Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, and sheriff's offices in Tarrant and Collin counties coordinated his return to Tarrant County for prosecution.
Prosecutors allege the broader scheme involved more than 40 incidents in which callers posed as government or law enforcement officials and convinced victims to liquidate savings and purchase gold bars, cryptocurrency or other valuables. Couriers would then allegedly collect the assets from victims' homes.
Ahmed is now being held in the Tarrant County Jail.
The charges and allegations have not been proven in court. Ahmed is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.