Friendswood Police Arrest Six in $2.8 Million Elderly Gold Scam Spanning Texas
Friendswood, TX — The Friendswood Police Department has arrested six people connected to a large-scale fraud scheme that targeted elderly victims across Texas and resulted in losses totaling approximately $2.8 million.
The investigation began in December 2025 after an 81-year-old Friendswood resident reported being scammed. Investigators said the victim was convinced to convert $766,000 into 177 one-ounce Canadian Gold Maple Leaf coins after a scammer posing as a federal employee claimed the victim’s financial accounts had been compromised.
Detectives later discovered the same scam had also targeted a 76-year-old Friendswood resident in September 2025, resulting in a loss of $134,000.
Early in the investigation, police identified two suspects. Detectives determined one suspect drove to the victim’s home and collected the gold coins.
On December 29, 2025, 43-year-old Smitaben Thakor of Sugar Land was arrested on a Galveston County warrant for Theft from an Elderly Person with a $1 million bond.
A second suspect, 48-year-old Samirali Ghabrani of Missouri City, was arrested on December 31, 2025. He was later charged with Theft of Property valued at $300,000 or more and remains held on a $1 million bond. Authorities said he is also being detained on an immigration hold at the Galveston County Jail.
As the investigation expanded, detectives identified additional suspects and executed search warrants at a home in the 17900 block of Carluke Court in Richmond and at a restaurant in the 11700 block of Wilcrest Drive in Houston.
During the search of the Richmond residence, investigators recovered 157 of the 177 gold coins stolen from the 81-year-old Friendswood victim. Police also seized evidence tied to the fraud operation.
Two suspects were arrested at the Richmond residence: 35-year-old Mudassir Iqbal Lakhani and 60-year-old Iqbal Ibrahim Lakhani, both of Richmond. Each was charged with Theft of Property valued at $300,000 or more and had bonds set at $5 million.
Further investigation linked a Houston jewelry business to the scheme. On January 9, 2026, detectives executed a search warrant at the business located at 100 Sharpstown Center in Houston and seized additional evidence.
Investigators later learned the remaining stolen gold coins were likely at a residence in Missouri City. On February 2, 2026, Friendswood police recovered the remaining portion of the stolen gold.
On March 4, 2026, with assistance from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, police executed another search warrant at a home in the 26000 block of Kingshill Drive in Kingwood.
During that operation, 39-year-old Zohaib Muhammad of Kingwood was arrested on a warrant issued by the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office for Theft of Property valued at $300,000 or more and Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity. His bond was set at $5 million.
Authorities also arrested 36-year-old Samir Ali of Atascocita during a traffic stop near his home on similar charges. His bond was also set at $5 million.
All six suspects are now charged with first-degree felony theft with an enhancement for Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity through the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office.
Friendswood police said they are working with the Fort Bend and Montgomery County District Attorney’s Offices to pursue asset forfeiture proceedings involving property believed to have been purchased with proceeds from the fraud scheme. These assets include luxury vehicles, large amounts of cash, and high-end jewelry.
Friendswood Police Chief Josh Rogers praised investigators for their work in recovering the victim’s stolen savings.
“The Friendswood Police Department’s quick and precise actions in this case reflect our unwavering dedication to protecting our community, especially our elderly residents who are often targeted by criminals,” Rogers said. “Through the relentless efforts of our investigators, we were able to recover $766,000 of our victim’s life savings and return it to its rightful owner.”
During the investigation, authorities identified four additional victims living in Humble, Cypress, Cleburne, and New Braunfels. Together, those victims lost approximately $1.9 million to the scammers.
Police say the broader investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to identify additional victims and determine the full scope of the organized fraud operation, which investigators believe has connections outside the United States.
Officials also warned the public about the nationwide “gold scam” targeting elderly individuals. In many cases, callers from overseas impersonate federal agents, bank investigators, or company representatives and convince victims their assets are at risk.
Victims are often instructed to convert their money into gold and provide it to a courier using a password system. The gold or cash is then moved through laundering channels and transferred internationally through informal systems such as Hawala networks.
Friendswood police encourage family members and friends to stay engaged with elderly loved ones and remain alert for suspicious financial activity.
Anyone who believes they or a loved one may have been targeted by this type of scam is encouraged to contact local law enforcement.
