MAYS LANDING, NJ — A man impersonating a federal agent stole $69,000 in cash and gift cards from a Mays Landing man and attempted to steal more, police said.
The man, identified as 20-year-old Gurpreet Singh from Queens, New York, faked being a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) agent and demanded money under the threat of arrest from a 55-year-old Mays Landing man, the Township of Hamilton Police Department said.
When Singh arrived at a predetermined location to collect the money, he displayed a badge and claimed to be an undercover agent, the victim told police.
Singh fled with about $63,000 in cash and $6,000 in Lululemon gift cards, police said.
While detectives were investigating, it was learned that Singh was planning to collect an additional $63,000 from the victim, police said. Police coordinated an operation to catch the perpetrator.
On March 17, Singh again arrived to collect money. However, this time he was met with Hamilton police and was taken into custody.
He was charged with theft, conspiracy to commit theft, theft by deception, theft by extortion and impersonating a law enforcement officer.
A warrant was issued for Singh’s arrest, and he was subsequently transported to the Atlantic County Justice Facility.
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.
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