2 Indian Students Sentenced In Multi-million Dollar Fraud Schemes Targeting Elderly Americans

Houston: Two Indian citizens studying in the United States were sentenced to federal imprisonment in separate but similar fraud cases, including detailed frauds targeting elderly Americans and resulted in millions of dollars loss. 20 -year -old Kishan Rajeshkumar Patel, who entered a student visa in the United States, was sentenced to 63 months (more than five years) after being found guilty of conspiring to make money laundering. According to the US Department of Justice (DOJ), Patel joined an online identity hunting conspiracy that imitates US government officials and uses fear tactics to obtain money and gold from senior citizens.

“The conspiracy used various online identity hunting methods, and while imitating the US government officials, Patel took cash and gold fraudulently, conveyed some to the common conspiracies and protected a percentage for its own benefit.” He said.

An investigation defrauded at least 25 elderly victims of the plan and a loss of $ 2,694,156. On August 24, 2024, Patel was arrested in Granit Shoals, Texas and tried to gather what he believed to be $ 130,000. Federal has been detained since August 29th.

“This defendant took advantage of the visa status in our country and joined an international fraud plan.” He said.

Dhruv Rajeshbhai Mangiya, a common defendant, was also guilty on June 16, 2025, a citizen of India, and was waiting for the punishment.

In a relevant but separate case, Moinuddin Mohammed, another Indian student, was sentenced to eight years in prison for an elderly Americans for a fraud of approximately $ 6 million. The case also included tactics of identity and international laundering of stolen funds.

While all three were in the US on a student visa, the US officials did not disclose the educational institutions they registered.

The US Department of Justice and the FBI continue to be careful against unwanted communications from individuals who claim to represent government or law enforcement officers, especially among the elderly.