Two Indian nationals jailed in US for phishing scheme, impersonated government officials and scammed elderly

Two Indian nationals studying in the US have been sentenced to federal prison in separate fraud cases that targeted elderly Americans, leading to multimillion-dollar losses.Kishan Rajeshkumar Patel, 20, who came to the US on a student visa, was sentenced this week to over 5 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. He defrauded at least 25 elderly people, with an intended loss of nearly $2.7 million. Patel used to impersonate government officials and used fear tactics to steal money and gold from the victims.Patel was arrested on August 24, 2024, in Granite Shoals, Texas, while trying to collect what he believed was $130,000. He has remained in custody since August 29.“This defendant took advantage of his visa status in our country and participated in an international fraud scheme,” said US attorney Justin Simmons for the Western District of Texas. “Patel defrauded vulnerable American citizens out of millions of dollars by impersonating government officials and preying on his victims’ fears of adverse government action.”His co-defendant, Dhruv Rajeshbhai Mangukiya pleaded guilty this week and is awaiting sentencing.In a separate but similar case, Moinuddin Mohammed, another Indian student, was sentenced to eight years in prison earlier this year. His scam also targeted elderly Americans and resulted in nearly $6 million in losses. Like Patel, Mohammed used impersonation tactics and helped launder the stolen funds internationally.All three individuals were in the US on student visas, though the justice department has not revealed the names of the institutions they attended.