Five Sentenced in St. Louis 'Gold Bar' Scam Targeting Seniors

Defendants received prison terms and ordered to pay millions in restitution for role in tech-support fraud scheme

Mar. 13, 2026 at 5:10pm

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A group of five individuals were sentenced in federal court in St. Louis for their roles in a multimillion-dollar tech-support scam that targeted elderly victims across multiple states. The defendants served as couriers and handlers, shuttling cash and gold from victims to overseas organizers of the scheme. Sentences ranged from 18 months to 4 years in prison, and the defendants were ordered to pay a total of $6.6 million in restitution.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing problem of scams targeting senior citizens, who are often vulnerable to these types of tech-support and financial fraud schemes. The significant prison sentences and restitution orders send a strong message that these crimes will be aggressively prosecuted by federal authorities.

The details

According to prosecutors, the scheme involved overseas callers posing as tech-support workers or bank representatives who convinced seniors to move their money or purchase gold bars as a safeguard against fraud. In reality, the callers were part of the fraud ring. In one case, an 82-year-old St. Louis woman was told to purchase $250,000 in gold, and one of the defendants, Dariona Lambert, flew to St. Louis to collect the gold but was intercepted at the victim's home.

  • In May 2024, Dariona Lambert traveled to St. Louis to collect gold from an 82-year-old victim, but was intercepted at the victim's home.
  • The defendants were sentenced in March 2026 in federal court in St. Louis.

The players

Sital Singh

A 43-year-old defendant who received a 4-year prison sentence and was ordered to pay $6.6 million in restitution.

Chintankumar Parekh

A defendant who received a 4-year prison sentence.

Mehulkumar Darji

A defendant who received a 4-year prison sentence.

Dariona Lambert

A defendant who received a 2-year prison sentence.

Zhamoniq Stevens

A defendant who received an 18-month prison sentence.

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What they’re saying

“Sital Singh and his co-conspirators in the U.S. and overseas are parasites.”

— Chris Crocker, Special Agent in Charge (U.S. Attorney's Office)

What’s next

Authorities are urging anyone who suspects they or an older relative has been targeted by a similar scheme to act quickly and preserve any records of calls, emails, and financial transactions. Complaints can be filed with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center or by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing problem of scams targeting senior citizens, who are often vulnerable to these types of tech-support and financial fraud schemes. The significant sentences and restitution orders demonstrate that federal authorities are taking these crimes seriously and will aggressively prosecute those involved.