An Upshur County fraud investigation led to the arrest of a New York man and the seizure of more than $130,000 in cash, gold coins and electronic devices, according to a press release from the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office.
On February 20, Sheriff Mike Coffman was dispatched to a local bank in reference to a fraud investigation. Coffman notified the State Attorney General’s office and contacted Chief Deputy Caynor to respond to the scene, the release states.
After establishing telephone contact with the scammers, a money pickup was arranged. Coffman positioned deputies throughout the area, with Sgt. Gordon at the pickup location while Coffman and Caynor remained nearby to intervene.
The scammers later contacted the victim to reschedule the pickup for February 21 at 9 a.m. Deputies reassumed their positions and waited. The suspect arrived at the pickup location and was taken into custody without incident.
A search of the vehicle yielded over $130,000 in cash, gold coins and electronic devices.
Naymat Ulla of Buffalo, New York, was arrested and charged with multiple felonies. Ulla was transported to Tygart Valley Regional Jail by Deputy Linger to await arraignment.
The sheriff’s office said it will collaborate with the West Virginia State Attorney General’s investigators, the FBI and immigration investigators on the case.
