ROCHESTER, NY – A Rochester man is facing federal charges after allegedly swindling a Pennsylvania collector out of $5,000 for a pair of fake gold coins. Timothy Meacham, 32, was arrested and charged with fraud, facing a potential 15-year prison sentence and a $250,000 fine if convicted.
According to court documents, Meacham advertised the coins on Craigslist in May 2017, using a pseudonym and a masked phone number to conceal his identity. The victim, a man from Pennsylvania, responded to the ad and made the trip to Rochester on May 15th, handing over $5,000 in cash for what he believed were genuine U.S. gold collector coins.
The scheme involved a fabricated backstory, authorities say. Meacham allegedly told the victim the coins had been inherited from his deceased grandfather and claimed he needed the money to cover unexpected funeral expenses. It was a calculated emotional play, designed to close the deal and get cash in hand. The victim, returning home, quickly discovered the coins were worthless fakes and immediately contacted the U.S. Secret Service.
The Secret Service, led by Special Agent-in-Charge Lewis Robinson, launched an investigation that quickly zeroed in on Meacham. While the agency typically focuses on currency, their mandate also extends to counterfeit coinage, protecting the integrity of U.S. financial instruments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Rossi is prosecuting the case.
Meacham made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marian W. Payson and was released under certain conditions pending further court proceedings. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York stresses that the charges are merely accusations, and Meacham is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
This case highlights the continued threat of fraud, even in the realm of collectible coins. The Secret Service warns potential buyers to exercise extreme caution, verify the authenticity of any precious metal items, and be wary of deals that seem too good to be true – especially those involving sob stories and anonymous sellers. The investigation is ongoing.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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