Two Indian students in the United States were convicted in separate but similar cases related to complicated fraud that focused on older Americans and led to losses of millions of dollars, PTI report agency.
Twenty -year -old Kishan Rajeshkumar Patel, who came to the US on a student visa, was sentenced to 63 months (more than five years) in prison after confessing to blame for money laundering.
What is fraud about?
The patel was involved in online phishing fraud, which was issued as US government officials and employed a tactic of fear to blackmail money and gold from seniors.
“The conspiracy used various phishing methods online and pretended to be US government officials, while the patel fraudulently received cash and gold from the victims, handed over part to the conspirators and maintained a percentage for its own benefit,” said the US Ministry of Justice (DO).
At least 25 older citizens lost money up to $ 2,694,156 for fraud. August 24, 2024, Patel was arrested in Granite Shoals in Texas while trying to collect what he considered $ 130,000. Since August 29, it has been held in federal binding.
“This defendant took advantage of his visa status in our country and participated in international fraud,” said the American prosecutor Justin Simmons. He added: “Patel cheated vulnerable US citizens of millions of dollars by issuing for government officials and preying the concerns of his victims of unfavorable government action.”
Another similar fraud
Patel, along with Dhruv Rajeshbhai Mangukiya, another Indian national, acknowledged guilty on June 16, 2025. He is waiting for his punishment.
In another, but related case, Moinuddin Mohammed, another Indian student, received an eight -year imprisonment for a similar fraud that cheated on older Americans nearly $ 6 million at the beginning of this year.
Although all three in the US held student visas in the US, the authorities did not reveal the educational institutions they participated.
The Ministry of Justice of the US and the FBI warned people, especially seniors, unverified communication of individuals who claim to represent the government or coercive agencies.
(Tagstotranslate) Student Visa
