HOUSTON, TX — Zohaib Muhammad, the high-profile custom jeweler known professionally as Zo Frost, has been arrested and charged in connection with a massive $2.8 million “gold bar” scam targeting elderly victims.
According to a report from FOX 26 Houston, the 39-year-old Muhammad—whose client list includes NBA stars like Zion Williamson, LaMelo Ball, Chet Holmgren, and Cade Cunningham—is facing first-degree felony charges.
The Investigation: From the Hardwood to the Courtroom
Zo Frost founded his Houston-based business in 2018 and quickly became a staple of the NBA and NFL draft circuits. Known for creating massive, diamond-encrusted “iced-out” pendants for the league’s elite, his sudden arrest has sent shockwaves through the professional sports world.
The investigation, led by the Friendswood Police Department, uncovered a sophisticated organized crime ring that allegedly defrauded at least six elderly victims across Texas.
How the “Gold Bar” Scheme Worked
According to authorities, the group utilized a high-pressure “government impersonation” tactic:
- The Hook: Scammers contacted victims posing as federal employees, claiming their bank accounts had been “compromised.”
- The Instructions: To “protect” their life savings, victims were told to liquidate their cash and purchase one-ounce gold coins (specifically Canadian Gold Maple Leafs).
- The Handover: The victims were then instructed to hand the gold over to “couriers” for “safekeeping” by the government.
One 81-year-old victim reportedly lost $766,000 in gold coins before police were able to intervene and recover a portion of the stolen assets.
The Charges and Arrests
Following a series of search warrants executed at residences in Kingwood and Richmond, as well as a jewelry business in the Sharpstown area, police arrested six individuals.
Zohaib Muhammad (Zo Frost) was taken into custody on March 4, 2026, in Kingwood. He faces charges of:
- Theft of Property ($300,000 or more)
- Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity
Muhammad is currently being held on a $5 million bond. Other suspects arrested in the sweep include Smitaben Thakor, Samirali Ghabrani, Mudassir Iqbal Lakhani, Iqbal Ibrahim Lakhani, and Samir Ali.
A Reputation in Jeopardy
For NBA fans and players, the name Zo Frost has long been synonymous with luxury and “making it” in the league. He famously designed the mountain-themed “Z” pendant for Zion Williamson and has been a fixture at the NBA Draft for years.
With investigators now looking into potential international ties to the scheme, the future of the “jeweler to the stars” remains uncertain.
“Our actions reflect our unwavering dedication to protecting our community, especially our elderly residents who are often targeted by criminals,” said Friendswood Police Chief Josh Rogers.
