Collin County Sheriff’s Office, working alongside a wide network of local, state, and federal partners, executed coordinated search and arrest warrants on Thursday, January 29, 2026, as part of an ongoing investigation into a large-scale fraud and money laundering operation targeting elderly victims across North Texas.
Investigators say the scheme involved suspects impersonating federal agents and regulatory officials, using fake credentials and threats of prosecution to intimidate victims into surrendering valuable assets. Victims were instructed to act in secrecy and were coerced into liquidating financial accounts, purchasing gold and other precious metals, and transferring cryptocurrency.
According to authorities, couriers were then dispatched to meet victims at public locations to collect cash, gold, and digital assets. Those proceeds were allegedly transported to businesses believed to be involved in laundering or converting the stolen funds. Collin County victims lost more than $7 million and the total for Texas victims was $55 million lost.
On Thursday, search and arrest warrants were executed without incident at two jewelry stores, one in Frisco and another in Irving. Investigators are actively processing both scenes and recovering evidence, including electronic devices, financial records, and precious metals. Several individuals were taken into custody, and officials say additional arrests are expected as the investigation continues. Specific details about those arrested have not yet been released due to the active nature of the case.
As a result of the operation in the Valley Ranch area of Irving, Collin County deputies and Irving officers arrested 24-year-old Tithi Patel and 38-year-old Nirav Soni. The bond total for each was set at $4 million.
The operation involved assistance from the Allen Police Department, Irving Police Department, North Richland Hills Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, the United States Postal Inspection Service, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Federal Crime Information Center. Investigators also confirmed the case is part of a broader, coordinated effort involving multiple agencies across jurisdictions.
Authorities emphasized that evidence shows the scheme was not an isolated incident but a repeatable and organized operation involving numerous victims, couriers, and complex financial transfers.
Collin County Sheriff Jim Skinner praised the joint effort, stating, “Today’s coordinated effort reflects months of dedicated investigative work across jurisdictions. Individuals have been taken into custody, and our investigation is far from over. I want to thank all of our law enforcement partners, local, state, and federal, for their professionalism and continued collaboration. Together, we are working to dismantle this criminal operation and hold every person involved accountable.”
The Collin County Sheriff’s Office says the investigation remains ongoing as detectives work to uncover the full scope of the operation and identify additional victims.
