(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) — The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) said arrests were made in a scam case from October 2024, accusing two men of scamming an elderly man.
According to EPSO, in October 2024, deputies received information from an elderly citizen who said he had been the victim of a scam phone call. The victim told deputies the scammer claimed to be a “government agent” and had made multiple threats to the victim.
The victim did send the scammer money via a cryptocurrency ATM and purchased gold, which was given to the suspects in person.
EPSO’s Investigations Division Financial Crimes Unit started an investigation and, through cellphone tower record tracing, was able to identify and find the two suspects. The suspects were identified as 24-year-old Mahammadilham Vahora and 24-year-old Hajiali Vahora, both from India in the U.S. on student visas and attending East-West University in Chicago.
Hajiali Vahora, Courtesy: El Paso County Sheriff’s Office
Mahammadilham Vahora, Courtesy: El Paso County Sheriff’s Office
Both men were booked into the El Paso County Jail in April 2025 and are suspects in a continuing investigation involving victims across the U.S. They face charges of:
Crimes to At-Risk Persons – Robbery
Money Laundering- Illegal Investments
Crimes to At-Risk Persons- Theft
“Shame on anyone who defrauds our elderly citizens,” said El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal. “I am incredibly proud of my Financial Crimes Unit, as they continuously educate this vulnerable population regarding the risks of scammers, and then hold accountable the low-life criminals who prey on their limited resources.”
EPSO said there has been a recent increase in phone scams in the Pikes Peak region and surrounding jurisdictions. Scammers often pose as government agents, bank fraud investigators, or IT specialists, claiming the victim must cooperate with an investigation or their assets must be protected.
Victims have been instructed to deposit money at crypto ATMs, withdraw large amounts of cash from their accounts, and are often told to convert their money to gold. The victim is then tricked into giving their money to government agents who meet with them in person.
EPSO is urging the public to be aware of ongoing schemes such as this and to never give crypto, cash, or gold to someone claiming to be involved in a bank, IT, or government investigation. The government will never ask you to send crypto, cash, or gold.
“Scammers are around every corner, and it is crucial for families and friends to be talking to their elderly loved ones about the signs of a scam phone call or email,” said Sheriff Roybal. “I encourage the citizens of the Pikes Peak region to connect with those who are vulnerable and remind them to NEVER give currency to anyone claiming to be a government agency while posing threats!”
If you have been involved in a recent scam like this, contact your local law enforcement agency.
