AUSTIN, Texas (Diya TV) — Two Indian nationals studying in the United States have been sentenced to prison in unrelated cases for their roles in financial scams that defrauded elderly Americans of millions of dollars, according to federal authorities.
In the first case, Kishan Rajeshkumar Patel, 20, received a 63-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. Patel entered the U.S. on a student visa and later participated in an online phishing scheme that exploited elderly victims by impersonating federal officials. The scam used scare tactics, including threats of legal action, to pressure victims into handing over large sums of cash and gold.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Patel acted as a “money mule” who physically collected funds from victims and transferred them to co-conspirators, while retaining a portion for himself. The scheme reportedly defrauded at least 25 elderly individuals, with total losses surpassing $2.6 million.
Patel was arrested in August 2024 in Granite Shoals, Texas, while collecting $130,000 in cash from a victim. He has remained in federal custody since August 29, 2024.
“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 his victims’ fears of adverse government action.”
Another Indian national, Dhruv Rajeshbhai Mangukiya, a co-defendant in Patel’s case, also pleaded guilty and is currently awaiting sentencing, according to court filings.
In a separate but similar case, Moinuddin Mohammed, also a student from India, was sentenced to eight years in prison for his role in a different scam targeting elderly Americans. Like Patel, Mohammed was part of a fraud ring that used impersonation tactics to manipulate victims into transferring large sums of money.
According to prosecutors, the fraud scheme involving Mohammed led to financial losses of nearly $6 million. While details of how Mohammed was involved were not publicly disclosed in full, officials emphasized the broader concern over increasing international participation in scams targeting older Americans.
Both cases highlight a growing trend in transnational fraud operations that exploit the trust and vulnerability of senior citizens. The U.S. Department of Justice has ramped up efforts in recent years to investigate and prosecute these types of crimes, particularly those involving foreign nationals abusing visa privileges.
Federal officials stressed the importance of public awareness to prevent such scams. “These schemes are not only financially devastating but also emotionally traumatizing for the victims,” a DOJ spokesperson said. “We urge families to speak with elderly relatives about common scam tactics, including impersonation of government agencies and urgent threats of arrest or legal action.”
