Washington: Two Indian students in the United States have been sentenced in separate fraud cases involving multi-million dollar scams targeting senior citizens, according to a report by PTI. Kishan Rajeshkumar Patel, 20, was sentenced to 63 months in prison after pleading guilty to a money laundering conspiracy. According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Patel was part of an international network that posed as government officials to frighten elderly victims into handing over cash and gold. The scheme defrauded at least 25 victims, causing losses of approximately $2.7 million. Patel was arrested on August 24, 2024, in Texas while attempting to collect $130,000 in cash. He has remained in federal custody since August 29. “This defendant misused his student visa and joined an international fraud scheme,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Simmons. “He took advantage of elderly people by pretending to be a government official and scaring them into giving away their money.” Patel and another Indian national, Dhruv Rajeshbhai Mangukiya, both pleaded guilty on June 16, 2025. Mangukiya is currently awaiting sentencing. In a separate but similar case, Moinuddin Mohammed, another Indian student, was sentenced earlier this year to eight years in prison for defrauding elderly Americans of nearly $6 million. All three were in the U.S. on student visas. The educational institutions they were enrolled in have not been disclosed. Authorities continue to urge the public, especially older adults, to remain cautious of phone or online scams involving impersonation of government or law enforcement agencies.
0 Comments