Parsippany Conman Nearly Stole $800K From Elderly Louisianian, Cops Say

PARSIPPANY, NJ — A Parsippany man has been arrested after stealing nearly $1 million from an elderly person in Louisiana, according to police.

Nigam Bhatt is a 25-year-old Indian national who is living in Parsippany on a work visa. He now faces extortion charges after an investigation found he attempted to steal $800,000 in gold, officials said.

Officials said an investigation into a scam circulating around Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, was brought to the attention of the Collin County (TX) Sheriff’s Office.

According to officials, the scheme involved victims being contacted and told their bank account and social security benefits are frozen and can only be released with an exchange of gold.

During the course of the investigation, authorities learned of several senior citizen victims, including at least one which was targeted by Bhatt, police said.

Authorities discovered Bhatt’s next trip and took him into custody before he could take more than $800,000 in gold from the victim.

He’s been charged with extortion and is awaiting court proceedings.