A fraud investigation in Payson, Arizona, led to the arrest of two Fresno residents after police say they arrived to pick up gold from a local victim who had been targeted by scammers posing as government representatives.
On the afternoon of Thursday, February 12th, the Payson Police Department arrested 20-year-old Harshdeep Singh and 18-year-old Katrina Gonzales.
They were booked into the Gila County Jail in Payson on suspicion of A.R.S. 13-2310, fraudulent schemes.
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The case began in January, when a Payson resident reported a possible fraud to police.
Investigators determined scammers had first contacted the victim in 2025, claiming to be representatives of the government.
Police said the scammers told the victim they had uncovered information showing her identity had been stolen and that, to protect her remaining assets, she needed to purchase a large quantity of gold.
Police said the scammers instructed the victim to turn the gold over to their agents so it could be safeguarded while the identity theft was investigated.
A courier was then sent to the Payson area to collect the gold, according to investigators.
After providing a considerable amount of gold, the victim became suspicious and contacted the police.
Detectives worked with the victim and coordinated an additional exchange of gold with the scammers.
When the couriers arrived in Payson, they were taken into custody without incident.
Police said they have reason to believe the couriers were aware they were involved in criminal activity.
However, investigators said there is currently no information indicating Singh and Gonzales were the ones making the scam calls to the victim or that they were involved in earlier courier pickups.
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The investigation is ongoing.