HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ — A New York man was arrested after allegedly impersonating a federal agent and extorting thousands of dollars from a Mays Landing resident.
Gurpreet Singh, 20, of Queens, New York, was taken into custody on March 17 when he arrived to collect a second payment from the victim, according to the Township of Hamilton Police Department.
Police received a report on March 14 that a suspect had contacted a 55-year-old Mays Landing man and falsely identified himself as an agent of the Federal Trade Commission.
The suspect allegedly threatened the victim with arrest and demanded money.
When the suspect arrived at a predetermined location to collect the payment, he displayed what appeared to be a badge and claimed to be an undercover agent, police said.
The suspect fled with approximately $63,000 in cash and $6,000 in Lululemon gift cards, according to police.
During a follow-up investigation, detectives learned the suspects were planning to return to collect an additional $63,000 in cash from the victim.
Police coordinated an operation to apprehend those involved in the continuing fraud.
Singh was charged with second-degree theft, second-degree conspiracy to commit theft, second-degree theft by deception, second-degree theft by extortion and fourth-degree impersonating a law enforcement officer.
He was transported to the Atlantic County Justice Facility on a warrant.
The Hamilton Township Police Department reminds residents to remain vigilant and to verify the identity of anyone claiming to be a government official.
Federal agencies do not demand immediate payments or threaten arrest in exchange for money, police said.
