LOGAN, Utah (KSTU) — Two Ukrainian nationals have been detained for allegedly defrauding a Logan man out of $300,000 in gold coins while posing as federal officials.
The 78-year-old victim called police about the scam, and the two males, Liubomyr Prokopchuck, 27, and Damir Ovsiannikov, 18, were arrested.
According to authorities, the men introduced themselves as federal officials and told the victim that they wanted money in gold coins to clear a case and safeguard his money, which he did.
The victim, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed that when Prokopchuck and Ovsiannikov tried to obtain more money, he had already lost about $300,000.
Detectives were able to make the arrests after working with the victim to set up a meeting with both individuals to retrieve the extra gold coins from the victim’s home.
Prokopchuck and Ovsiannikov were accused on felony charges of criminal conspiracy, communications fraud, and money laundering.
The Department of Homeland Security is also looking into the case because the men are Ukrainian nationals.
