Dallas TX, Jan. 31, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Thursday, January 29, 2026, the Collin County Sheriff’s Office executed search and arrest warrants involving two Indian-owned jewelry stores: Saima Jewelers in Frisco and Tilak Jewelers in Irving. Multiple media outlets reported that millions of dollars in cash and gold were seized from the businesses.
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The operations were part of an ongoing investigation into alleged elder fraud, in which about 200 or more victims were contacted, initially by email, and told that they were the subject of a criminal investigation. The victims were then told that they could only avoid arrest if they turned over gold or other items to a person posing as acting with law enforcement. According to Collin County, “couriers” would receive the items from the victims and would often bring them to the jewelry stores, where they were melted down into jewelry, such as bracelets, for further sale or to send out of the country.
Few details are known about the specific evidence or charges against the jewelry store owners. It is possible that they were directly involved in planning and/or executing the scheme to defraud the elderly victims, but this seems unlikely. It is more likely that they are being prosecuted for receiving stolen property or for engaging in organized criminal activity involving stolen property.
In Texas, it is not a crime to receive stolen property unless you know that it is stolen. This means that prosecutors must prove not only that the property was stolen, but also that the accused knew that the property was stolen.
However, there are specific laws concerning persons in the business of buying or selling used or secondhand personal property that might apply to these jewelry stores. For these types of businesses, section 31.03(c)(3) of the Texas Penal Code states that there is a presumption that the person knows an item is stolen if the person paid $25.00 or more for it (or property of equivalent value) and if the person knowingly or recklessly failed to maintain records of the transaction, including information about the seller, the item, and a signed warranty from the seller that the seller had the right to possess the item.
For a criminal defense lawyer, it will be critical to know whether the jewelry stores complied with the record-keeping requirements. If they did not, this does not automatically mean they will be found guilty, but it means it will be an uphill battle to avoid a conviction.
The Indian-American community as a whole has certainly been the target of negative publicity from H1B visa fraud investigations against specific individuals and companies. There has been some speculation that this investigation into the Indian-owned jewelry stores could have been influenced by the national origin of the persons accused. Not enough is known at this point about the facts of the investigation, but this is an issue that is worthy of consideration.
About: Dallas Defense Lawyer John Helms
John has been a trial lawyer for more than 20 years. He is a former federal prosecutor who never lost a trial or appeal. John has also represented some of the country’s largest corporations, including Microsoft, Bank of America, ACE Cash Express, and Philip Morris.
For consultation regarding state or federal cases, contact: John Helms
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Nothing contained herein constitutes legal advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship. Legal outcomes depend on specific facts and evidence, which may not be fully known or publicly disclosed at this time. Readers should not draw conclusions regarding guilt, intent, or liability based solely on this analysis.
Any legal commentary reflects general principles of Texas law and is not a substitute for consultation with qualified legal counsel regarding a specific case. Opinions expressed are analytical in nature and should not be interpreted as statements of fact.
For legal advice regarding any criminal matter, individuals should consult a licensed attorney directly.
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