Alleged scammer in $3M fraud of San Diego couple was fatally struck on I-5 while fleeing police

Court records indicated three men were involved in picking up fraud proceeds from a San Diego couple. Two are now facing charges, but a third was killed Feb. 25 when he ran from deputies

Two men are facing federal charges in San Diego for their alleged roles in a gold bar scam that defrauded more than $3.1 million from an elderly San Diego couple, while a third suspect was killed last month when he was struck on Interstate 5 while fleeing from law enforcement, according to court records unsealed this week.

The fatal crash happened Feb. 25 near the California Highway Patrol inspection site and Border Patrol checkpoint in San Onofre after investigators had set a trap for the alleged fraudsters and Orange County sheriff’s deputies were attempting to take two of the men into custody, according to court records.

That incident remains under investigation by both the CHP and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

The case is centered on a fraud scheme in which a 94-year-old San Diego man and his 87-year-old wife were tricked into believing they were working with government officials to safeguard their money from identity thieves, according to a criminal complaint. Instead, over roughly a year’s time, they handed over to the scammers seven batches of gold bars worth a total of $3,188,716.

“It’s especially disturbing to see criminals steal millions from victims in their 80s and 90s — people who should be enjoying security and dignity in their final years,” U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon told the Union-Tribune. “Those who target elderly victims through sophisticated fraud schemes will find that our office is equally determined and sophisticated in pursuing accountability, particularly when organized criminal networks are involved.”

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/03/12/alleged-scammer-in-3m-fraud-of-san-diego-couple-was-fatally-struck-on-i-5-while-fleeing-police/?share=ooiti6nolondragnmel2