Two Indian students in the United States have been sentenced to federal prison in separate but similar elder fraud schemes that cost American victims millions of dollars.
Kishan Rajeshkumar Patel, 20, entered the U.S. on a student visa but is now headed to prison for over five years. He was sentenced this week to 63 months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with a phishing and impersonation scam that specifically targeted elderly Americans.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Patel worked with co-conspirators to impersonate U.S. government officials, using fear tactics and false threats to convince senior citizens to hand over cash and gold. Patel personally received and laundered the proceeds, keeping part for himself and passing the rest to other conspirators.
The investigation identified at least 25 victims and an intended fraud amount of $2,694,156. Patel was arrested on August 24, 2024, in Granite Shoals, Texas, while attempting to collect a package he believed contained $130,000 in victim funds. He has been in custody since August 29.
“This defendant took advantage of his visa status in our country and participated in an international fraud scheme,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Simmons. “Patel defrauded vulnerable American citizens out of millions of dollars by impersonating government officials and preying on victims’ fears.”
Co-defendant Dhruv Rajeshbhai Mangukiya, also an Indian national, pleaded guilty on June 16, 2025, and is awaiting sentencing.
In a related but separate case, Moinuddin Mohammed, another Indian student, was sentenced earlier this year to eight years in prison for a nearly $6 million scam that also used impersonation tactics to target elderly Americans. Both scams relied on phishing, fear-based manipulation, and international laundering of stolen funds.
U.S. authorities have not released the names of the educational institutions the defendants attended.
The Justice Department and FBI continue to warn the public—especially senior citizens—about unsolicited contacts from individuals falsely claiming to be government or law enforcement officials.