Authorities are searching for two men from New York after a 68-year-old Pottsville man was defrauded of $82,500 in an elaborate online scam that began in February 2024.
According to Pottsville Police, the incident began on February 20, 2024, when the victim reported receiving an email that appeared to be from PayPal. The message claimed too much money had been deposited into his account. When the victim clicked a link and called the number provided, an unknown suspect gained remote access to his computer, including his online banking information.
The suspect then displayed a manipulated screenshot of the victim’s account, showing a fake $82,500 deposit. The victim was instructed that the only way to “return” the money was by purchasing cashier’s checks and converting them into gold bars. Following these directions, the victim traveled to Berks County to purchase $82,500 worth of one-ounce gold bars and then delivered them to an arranged meeting location in Pottsville.
Shortly after, three men arrived at the business in a white Toyota Camry with New York registration and collected the gold bars before leaving the area.
With assistance from the FBI’s Allentown Office and security footage from nearby businesses, investigators identified the suspects. Police say the vehicle was driven by Jahid Hasan, 26, of Elmhurst, NY, who was accompanied by Towhidul Islam, 25, of Elmhurst, NY, and Minhaj Isman, of New York.
Arrest warrants are being obtained for Hasan and Islam on multiple felony charges, including:
- Dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities (F1)
- Conspiracy to deal in proceeds of unlawful activities (F1)
- Theft (F3)
- Conspiracy to commit theft (F3)
- Theft by deception (F3)
- Conspiracy to commit theft by deception (F3)
- Receiving stolen property (F3)
- Conspiracy to receive stolen property (F3)
- Conspiracy to commit access device fraud (F3)