In a daring sting operation dubbed “Operation I Love Gold,” authorities in Douglas County have apprehended two individuals accused of swindling an elderly victim in a gold bars scam. The suspects, identified as Anil Kumar Dhiman, 34, and Punit Punit, 30, were taken into custody on May 23 in a parking lot near I-25 and Castle Pines Parkway.
The intricate scam began when a 76-year-old woman received a suspicious pop-up message on her iPad, leading her to call a phone number provided. The fraudster on the other end, claiming to be from the “bank’s fraud department,” convinced her that her identity had been compromised and directed her to purchase gold bars to secure her assets.
Through meticulous detective work, authorities were able to coordinate a successful operation culminating in the arrest of the suspects as they awaited the delivery of the ill-gotten gold bars. The charges brought against Dhiman and Punit include theft and crimes against at-risk persons, with their bail set at $10,000 each.
Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly condemned the reprehensible conduct, stating, “No one gets to come to Douglas County, prey on our elderly residents, steal their life savings, and get away with it.” The collaboration between law enforcement and the victim exemplifies a victory in safeguarding vulnerable members of the community from financial exploitation.
