A New Jersey man has pleaded guilty in federal court in Portland, Maine, to charges related to a multi-state fraud scheme. Bharat Awasarmol, 49, admitted to conspiring to commit wire fraud and making false statements to an FBI agent.
Court documents state that Awasarmol participated with others in a scheme targeting seven victims across five states, including Maine. The operation involved callers pretending to be government officials who convinced victims by phone to withdraw cash and buy gold for supposed safekeeping by the government. Victims were then instructed to meet individuals posing as government agents and hand over the valuables.
Awasarmol was apprehended after FBI agents intercepted him while he accepted a package from a victim in Maine. The victim had been directed by someone claiming to be from the Federal Trade Commission to deliver gold bars to Awasarmol. He later made false statements about his involvement when questioned by the FBI.
In addition to the incident in Maine, Awasarmol collected cash and gold from six other victims located in New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, and Virginia under similar fraudulent pretenses.
The wire fraud conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines. The false statement charge could result in up to five years imprisonment and another $250,000 fine.
Sentencing will take place after completion of a presentence investigative report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office. The final sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge following consideration of sentencing guidelines and legal factors.
The case was investigated by the FBI.