Prosecutors say overseas messages directed local pickups as a senior lost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
KENOSHA, Wis. — A 44-year-old Illinois man was taken into custody Wednesday after a Kenosha County court commissioner rejected a motion to dismiss felony theft and money laundering charges in a case tied to a gold-bar scheme that targeted a local senior, according to court proceedings.
Authorities allege the scheme used phone calls and scripted instructions to pressure a woman into converting savings to gold and handing it to a courier at her home. Prosecutors say the case is part of a larger pattern of “gold bar” frauds coordinated through overseas messaging. The defendant, identified in court as Chintan Thakkar, faces counts of theft of movable property over $100,000 and money laundering over $100,000. The hearing marked the first time the court weighed defense efforts to throw out the charges. The decision to keep the case moving included an immediate custody order and a $25,000 cash bond, signaling that investigators and prosecutors consider the alleged loss and coordination significant.
Thakkar arrived voluntarily to the county intake courtroom Wednesday afternoon for his initial appearance. His attorney argued there was no probable cause tying him to the specific Kenosha pickups. Court Commissioner William Michel denied the request to dismiss. Bailiffs then escorted Thakkar from the courtroom to be booked and photographed. The defense said Thakkar had enough cash to post the bond set by the court. The victim, who asked that her name not be used, told reporters she was convinced by a caller claiming to be a federal agent that her bank accounts were compromised and that converting her money to gold was the safest option. “They’re ruining the lives of all seniors,” she said in an interview. Prosecutors say two March drop-offs at the woman’s north-side Kenosha home totaled more than $470,000 in gold, with additional losses later reported.
Investigators say WhatsApp messages from contacts abroad provided addresses, timelines and photos tied to pickups, and that a second man was the designated courier. Prosecutors named Jagdishkumar Nandani as the person who came to the Kenosha home for the gold. According to the criminal complaint, the victim turned over $332,750 in gold on March 1 and $139,500 on March 15. The woman later reported losing more than $653,000 and said she sold her house, believing it was part of the scheme. District Attorney Xavier Solis said messages contained victim details and images of cash and gold. Thakkar’s attorney, Carl Johnson, maintained in court that his client was not directly tied to the Kenosha pickups. A warrant remains active for Nandani, authorities said. Some details about the larger network remain unknown, including how many Wisconsin victims may be connected to the same instruction channel.
Gold-bar cases have surfaced around Wisconsin over the past year, often starting with a computer pop-up or phone call that claims financial accounts are compromised. The caller persuades the victim to move money into precious metals and to hand off the bars to someone described as a “safeguard” or “agent.” In Kenosha, police and prosecutors have highlighted the role of instructions sent from abroad and the use of couriers recruited in the Midwest. Records in the Kenosha case outline a sequence of phone pressure, conversion to gold at local dealers, and home pickups on scheduled dates. Authorities say the use of encrypted texting apps helps the organizers direct local activity while limiting contact between participants.
Court records show Thakkar is charged with theft of movable property over $100,000 and money laundering over $100,000. The state asked for a high cash bail, citing the scope of losses and cross-border coordination; the court set bond at $25,000. The defense can pursue discovery and pretrial motions. A warrant remains outstanding for Nandani. Prosecutors said additional investigative steps include tracing communications, reviewing vehicle use tied to pickups, and coordinating with federal partners. A next court date is expected to be scheduled to set timelines for preliminary hearing and further motions. Officials said the complaint may be amended if new victims or additional transactions are confirmed.
Outside the courtroom, the woman described how the calls escalated and how a man came to her door to retrieve the gold. Neighbors said patrol cars were in the area in March after the second handoff. In court, Solis thanked local detectives and an assistant district attorney for building the case. “Criminals who prey on our seniors and strip them of their hard-earned life savings will be held accountable,” he said. Johnson declined further comment as deputies moved his client to booking. By evening, records showed bond posted and Thakkar released pending the next appearance.
As of late Wednesday, Thakkar was out on bond and the Kenosha County case remained open, with a warrant still active for the alleged courier and a status hearing expected in the coming days.
Author note: Last updated November 28, 2025.