Overview
- Bharat Awasarmol pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Portland to conspiring to commit wire fraud and to making false statements to an FBI agent.
- Prosecutors say he and others defrauded seven people across Maine, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey and Virginia.
- Callers posed as government officials and told victims to withdraw cash or buy gold for supposed safekeeping with fake agents.
- FBI agents intercepted Awasarmol in Maine as he accepted a package from a victim directed by someone claiming to be from the Federal Trade Commission to hand over gold bars.
- He faces up to 20 years on the conspiracy count and up to five years for the false‑statement offense, with sentencing to follow a presentence investigation.