Latest news with #EulessPolice
NDTV
21-07-2025
- NDTV
Indian-Origin Couple Arrested In $4 Million Real Estate Scam In US: "Most Prolific Fraudsters"
A high-profile Indian-origin couple in North Texas, known for their glamorous public appearances and Bollywood-style performances, has been arrested in connection with a multimillion-dollar real estate fraud case. According to authorities, Sidhartha "Sammy" Mukherjee and his wife Sunita allegedly convinced over 100 investors to part with at least $4 million (approximately ₹33 crore) by promising investments in non-existent real estate projects, CBS News reported. The couple's elaborate scheme has left many victims in financial distress. Prosecutors say the couple led a glamorous life to gain people's trust, hosting charity events and presenting themselves as successful businesspeople. However, their public image was just a facade to cover up their illicit activities. The Multimillion-dollar Fraud The alleged victims claimed they were deceived into investing in what they thought were legitimate real estate deals, lured by the promise of high returns. However, suspicions arose when dividend checks began to bounce. One alleged victim, Seshu Madabhushi, lamented that he should have been more vigilant in asking questions, but never suspected the extent of the deceit. "They will make you believe that they are very successful businesspeople. But they will take every single penny you have," said Terry Parvaga, another fraud victim. Initially, several police departments dismissed the complaints as civil disputes. However, Euless Police Detective Brian Brennan, an experienced white-collar crime investigator, took on the case after a couple approached him in 2024, claiming they had lost $325,000 in the alleged scheme. How was the scam exposed? Multiple investors accused the Mukherjees of providing fake remodelling contracts and invoices from the Dallas Housing Authority to convince them to invest in supposedly lucrative projects. However, when Detective Brennan contacted the DHA, he found that no such projects existed. According to the affidavit, the Mukherjees allegedly used forged documents, including paperwork, receipts, and email correspondence, to deceive investors. Investigators believe this forgery was not limited to one deal. The case has since expanded, with the FBI involved, and forensic accountants estimating victim losses to exceed $4 million, affecting 20 confirmed and over 100 potential victims. The couple has now been arrested and is currently being held at a detention facility in the US. The Mukherjees' alleged deception extended beyond real estate, involving a fake company and fictitious employees to obtain a federal Paycheck Protection Program loan. Investigators found that the couple submitted false payroll forms and misrepresented the purpose of the funds. They also allegedly scammed elderly individuals by threatening them with arrest and convincing them to send money to law enforcement. Detective Brennan described Sammy Mukherjee as "probably the most prolific fraudster" he had seen in his 23-year career. "Tentacles going in all different directions", he remarked. What happens next? Sammy and Sunita Mukherjee face serious charges, including first-degree felony theft, which carries a potential sentence of 5 to 99 years in prison if convicted. After posting a $500,000 bond, Sammy Mukherjee was taken into custody by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and is being held at a detention facility near Fort Worth. The couple, who allegedly came to the US from India seeking asylum, also has an unclear immigration status. Records show Sammy Mukherjee has outstanding fraud warrants in Mumbai. When previously contacted, Sammy Mukherjee denied allegations, claiming a coordinated effort to defame him due to jealousy.
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Time of India
'Bollywood-style performances': Indian couple in Texas accused of multimillion-dollar fraud. Who are Sammy and Sunita Mukherjee?
Indian couple Sammy Mukherjee and Sunita Mukherjee accused of multimillion dollar scam in Texas. Sidhartha Mukherjee, popularly known as Sammy, and his wife Sunita, an Indian couple in North Texas, who became local celebrities because of their Bollywood-style performances, have been arrested for allegedly defrauding more than 100 people in a fake investment scheme worth over $4 million. Prosecutors said they led a very glamorous life to gain people's trust, hosted high-society events, Bollywood-style galas and became charitable community figures. But at those events, they used to convince people to invest in real estate projects that never existed. "They will make you believe that they are very successful businesspeople," alleged fraud victim Terry Parvaga told CBS News. "But they will take every single penny you have." The investigation into the Mukherjees began nearly two years ago when Euless Police detective Brian Brennan agreed to take on the case after several complaints from victims were dismissed as civil disputes. Brennan told the CBS News that a couple claimed that they lost $325,000 in an alleged investment scheme. Modus operandi of the Mukherjees Investors and alleged victims said the Mukherjees provided them with remodeling contracts and invoices from the Dallas Housing Authority that made them believe in the authenticity of his projects. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Earn upto 36 Credits from IITB PG Diploma from IIT-B Learn More Undo But eventually, it was found out that those were fake documents. According to the affidavit for arrest, the Mukherjees used a fake company with fictitious employees to apply for a federal Paycheck Protection Program loan. An FBI agent met Sammy Mukherjee during the investigation and asked him whether he recognizes names like "Richard Jackson," "Nikki Reynolds" and "Mike Summerville". These were people listed on a payroll form that Mukherjee submitted as part of the PPP loan application, but he said he did not know the,. "In [my] 23 years, [Sammy Mukherjee] is probably the most prolific fraudster I've seen," Brennan told the CBS News. "Tentacles going in all different directions." In May, the Mukherjees hosted a charity gala with a Bollywood personality present, before they were arrested by the ICE. Who are the Mukherjees of Texas? According to documents, the couple came to the United States from India seeking asylum. Their current immigration status is not known. The arrest affidavit said Sammy Mukherjee has outstanding fraud warrants in Mumbai. In the local circle in Texas, Sammy is known as a Bollywood singer. Sammy Mukgerejee denied all allegations and said people were defaming him because they are jealous of his success.
