TAMARAC. Fla. — More than $300,000 was stolen from an elderly victim in an organized fraud scheme that authorities say involved a suspect posing as a representative of the United States Marshals Service.
According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, Mohit Mohit, 21, of Jacksonville, was arrested Monday after detectives identified him as a participant in the scheme.
According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the investigation began last month after a 75-year-old Tamarac woman reported being defrauded of thousands of dollars by a person claiming to be a U.S. Marshal.
Authorities said the victim received a phone call from someone claiming to work with Walmart’s fraud department regarding a fraudulent $1,400 Apple laptop purchase made in her name.
They said after the woman denied making the purchase, she was “transferred to several individuals before ultimately speaking with a suspect who identified himself as U.S. Marshal Adam Peterson.”
Investigators said Mohit allegedly told the victim that her identity had been linked to an abandoned vehicle in Texas containing narcotics, cash and evidence of human trafficking.
They said Mohit also told the woman that a federal arrest warrant had been issued for her and that she could either hire an attorney for $100,000 or cooperate with a federal investigation to clear her name.
Investigators said the suspects used fake badge numbers, case numbers, phone numbers and names of fictitious government employees to make the scam appear legitimate.
They said the victim was then instructed to liquidate her financial assets and convert the money into gold, which the suspects claimed would be secured while the investigation was ongoing.
The victim followed the instructions, packaged the gold as directed and handed it over to a courier at a gas station after receiving a code from the suspects, according to deputies.
The victim later realized she had been scammed and lost family savings accumulated over about 33 years, investigators said.
Detectives identified Mohit as the person who allegedly conducted the exchanges. Authorities said two vehicles — a red Honda Accord and a gray Jeep SUV — were used in the scheme.
Investigators said they developed probable cause to arrest Mohit, describing him as an “active and willing participant in a large-scale nationwide organized fraud scheme.”
They said Mohit was arrested in Bradford County on a warrant out of Broward County.
Jail records show Mohit faces charges including scheme to defraud, grand theft of a person 65 or older, and unlawful use of a two-way communications device.
His bond amount has not been set at this time.
BSO is urging residents who believe they may have been targeted in a similar scam to contact Detective Steven Lees at 954-720-2225 or call the agency’s non-emergency number at 954-764-4357.
Authorities also reminded the public that law enforcement agencies will never call demanding money or requesting personal banking information.
They offered the following tips to help the public avoid similar scams:
- Never send money in response to an unexpected phone call, text message or email.
- Never provide personal, financial or banking information to unsolicited callers.
- Verify requests by contacting the organization directly through an official phone number or website.
- Report suspicious activity to local authorities.
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