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Michael James White -
A customer allegedly gave Gold Pro LLC $39,314 for 20 gold coins (pictured) that never arrived – and didn’t even receive a penny when he asked for a refund. -
Another customer gave White’s business $197,750 for 100 ounces of gold coins (pictured), yet received nothing. -
A third customer attempted to sell White $10,758 worth of South African Krugerrands, but received $0 after mailing his coins to the Gold Pro CEO.
A Beaumont-based precious metal merchant, and proprietor of Gold Pro LLC, indicted for stealing $247,822 in coins and customer payments, told Judge Raquel West June 20 he wants his three cases set for trial.
With a website purporting to represent “The trusted name in precious metals,” customers might expect Gold Pro CEO Michael James White, 33, to run an honest operation at his 11th Street store. However, three felony theft indictments from 2021 and more than a dozen complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) offer claims to the contrary.
September 2021, a Jefferson County grand jury indicted White for three charges varying in degrees of legal severity, from a state-jail felony theft to second-degree felony theft.
Months-long coin cons
According to Beaumont Police Department (BPD) Detective D. Doucet, who detailed White’s alleged crime in a series of probable cause affidavits, White’s cons took months to play out before the victims eventually contacted authorities.
According to a probable cause affidavit regarding the first of White’s indictment-worthy frauds in 2021, the purported coin connoisseur allegedly stole nearly $40,000 from a customer.
On Jan. 22, 2021, a customer wired $39,314 to White for the purchase of 20 one-ounce American eagle coins. However, instead of sending this customer the aforementioned coins, White reportedly sent the man several fake gold bars six days later. Five months later, in June 2021, the victim sent White a 10-day demand letter in an attempt to get refunded.
“As of Aug. 11, 2021, White had not complied with the request for the refund, nor had he shipped (the victim) the merchandise,” Detective Doucet wrote. “White unlawfully appropriated the $39,314.21 from (the victim) by not shipping him the gold coins that he paid for, and he did so with the intent to deprive (the victim) of ownership of his cash.”
According to another probable cause affidavit detailing White’s alleged transgressions, a customer wired $197,750 to White in an unsuccessful effort to purchase 100 ounces of gold eagle coins and 100 ounces of gold buffalo coins from the Beaumont business June 2, 2021. More than two weeks after White failed to provide the products promised to the pecuniary purchaser, the customer sent a 10-day demand letter to recover his payment.
By July 20, 2021, White had failed to respond to the customer’s request for refund, nor had he returned his many calls. According to Detective Doucet, “White unlawfully appropriated the $197,750 from (the victim) by not shipping him the gold coins that he paid for and he did so with the intent to deprive (the victim) of ownership of his cash. White did not have the effective consent of (the victim) to keep his cash without providing the gold coins that he purchased.”
A complaint filed with the BBB reads, “I bought $197,750 in gold … on June 3, 2021. (White) got the money on June 3, 2021. (White) will not answer the phone or call me in return.”
Completing White’s hat trick of 2021 precious metal ploys, a third probable cause affidavit describes another theft he allegedly committed June 24, 2021. According to this victim, the man sent White half a dozen South African Krugerrands, which are gold coins. The victim told officers his and White’s arrangement stipulated that the Gold Pro proprietor would pay the customer $10,758 within 72 hours of receiving the package.
After several attempts to collect the cash over nearly a month, the victim sent a 10-day demand letter to White. According to Detective Doucet, “As of July 12, 2021, Michael has not complied with the request to return the coins, nor has he paid the agreed-upon price for the coins.
“Michael White unlawfully appropriated the six gold coins (valued at $10,758) from (the victim) by not paying for them after he received them, and he did so with the intent to deprive (the victim) of ownership of his coins.”
A bevy of BBB complaints
The BBB’s file for Gold Pro LLC contains a pattern of complaints in which consumers allege delivery, refund, customer service and service issues, according to information from the 110-year-old marketplace supervisors.
“Specifically, consumers allege they paid in full for products that have not been received at all or delivered in a timely manner, failure of the business to provide promised package tracking numbers and failure to honor promised refunds,” reads a statement from the BBB regarding Gold Pro. “Additionally, customers allege failure of the business to respond to their calls, removal of the business website and discovery of a new business name and website with the same business phone number.
“BBB contacted the company in May 2020 requesting that they address the pattern of complaints and propose a method to eliminate the pattern from continuing. To date, BBB has not received a response from the company.”
More than a dozen complaints about Gold Pro LLC posted on the BBB’s website list hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of allegedly stolen funds or coins dating back to 2019, just a year into the business’ existence.
While White awaited his trial date for crimes allegedly committed in 2021, one unsatisfied customer had this to say about the company May 4, “To the BBB, on GoldPro LLC, At this point, I would say FRAUD! Theft of $24,300 intentional deceit and trickery, the deception was (White) lying about his wife passing away – having to play mom with his three kids, to have me retract my complaint to the BBB or having me lie to the BBB that I have received my package. I was easily deceived at first. Now, I no longer believe anything he says after reading all the other complaints! It’s pretty clear, there’s a definite pattern here.”
According to information from Gold Pro’s website, White has been in the precious metals industry since graduating from Lamar University, where he majored in U.S. history while earning a minor in finance.
“We are continually striving to stay ahead of the competition, earning your business, and ultimately keeping it,” reads a statement from the company. “Gold Pro is located 50 miles NE of Houston in Vidor, Texas and deals with several other wholesale firms to be able to ship from multiple locations across the country for the smoothest transaction process found anywhere.”
According to information from the DA’s office, White has his case set for trial in October.
This represents the first part in a series of stories by The Examiner on criminal issues surrounding Gold Pro LLC.
Those who have suffered losses or who have been victims of White’s business may contact The Examiner at (409) 832-1400 or the BBB at (409) 835-5348.