Latest news with #PranavPatel
News18
2 days ago
- News18
Indian-Origin Man Sentenced In $2 Million Call Centre Fraud Targeting US Seniors
Last Updated: Patel was convicted of money laundering after admitting to collecting over $1.79 million from victims in Florida and other eastern US states Pranav Patel, a 33-year-old man of Indian origin, has been sentenced to 75 months (over six years) in prison for his involvement in a fraudulent call centre scheme that defrauded elderly citizens across the United States of nearly $2 million. The sentencing took place on June 11 in Tampa, Florida, with Federal Judge William F Jung presiding over the case. Patel was busted when he went to a house to collect what he thought was a box of gold. Law enforcement officials, who had him under surveillance, arrested him immediately after he picked up the package. Patel was convicted of money laundering after admitting to collecting over $1.79 million from victims in Florida and other eastern US states. The funds were obtained through deceptive tactics, including impersonating US Treasury officials and threatening victims with arrest unless they paid large sums of money or handed over valuables such as gold. In his role as a 'money mule", Patel travelled across state lines to collect the illicit proceeds, which were then laundered through various channels. The operation primarily targeted senior citizens, exploiting their trust and financial vulnerability. One victim reported losing his home due to the financial strain caused by the scam. Following his conviction, Patel was ordered to forfeit the $1.79 million he had collected from the victims. The case highlights the growing concern over scams targeting the elderly and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable populations from financial exploitation. Authorities have emphasised the need for increased vigilance and protective measures to prevent such fraudulent activities. 'Preying on vulnerable, unsuspecting elderly victims to rob them of their hard-earned money is despicable," Secret Service Special Agent Robert Engel said after the sentencing, adding: 'Even worse, the defendant's co-conspirators posed as government agents to defraud victims of nearly $2 million, threatening them with arrest if they didn't follow their demands." First Published: June 12, 2025, 12:33 IST
The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
Indian-origin man sentenced in U.S. for fraud scheme targeting elderly
An Indian-origin man has been sentenced to over six years in prison in San Francisco, U.S., for his involvement in a fraud scheme in which he laundered over a million dollars targeting senior citizens, according to the Justice Department. Pranav Patel, 33, of New Jersey, served as a "money mule' in the fraud scheme between October and December 2023 and laundered $1.7 million as part of it. He pleaded guilty in December last year and was sentenced on Wednesday by U.S. District Judge William Jung to six years and three months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering. The court also ordered the seizure of $1.7 million, the Justice Department said. Conspirators involved in the scheme called from call centres abroad and fraudulently identified themselves as government agents such as officers from the U.S. Treasury Department. In some instances, they told victims that there were outstanding warrants for their arrest and they needed to pay to clear the warrants. On other occasions, the conspirators told victims that they needed to provide their money and gold to the officers for safekeeping. Patel drove from New Jersey to pick up money and gold from senior citizens in Florida and elsewhere along the U.S. East Coast. During the sentencing hearing, one victim from whom Patel picked up fraud proceeds informed the court that because of the scam, he was unable to afford his mortgage payments, had to sell his house and depended on Social Security benefits for all his living expenses. In December 2023, Patel travelled to a residence to retrieve what he believed was a box of gold. However, he was unaware that he was doing so while under law enforcement surveillance, and was promptly arrested after picking up the box.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- New Indian Express
Indian-origin man sentenced 75 months in US for fraud scheme targeting elders
SAN FRANCISCO: An Indian-origin man has been sentenced to over six years in prison for his involvement in a fraud scheme in which he laundered over a million dollars targeting senior citizens, according to the justice department. Pranav Patel, 33, of New Jersey, served as a "money mule" in the fraud scheme between October and December 2023 and laundered USD 1.7 million as part of it. He pleaded guilty in December last year and was sentenced on Wednesday by US District Judge William Jung to six years and three months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering. The court also ordered the seizure of USD 1.7 million, the Justice Department said. Conspirators involved in the scheme called from call centres abroad and fraudulently identified themselves as government agents such as officers from the US Treasury Department. In some instances, they told victims that there were outstanding warrants for their arrest and they needed to pay to clear the warrants. On other occasions, the conspirators told victims that they needed to provide their money and gold to the officers for safekeeping. Patel drove from New Jersey to pick up money and gold from senior citizens in Florida and elsewhere along the US East Coast. During the sentencing hearing, one victim from whom Patel picked up fraud proceeds informed the court that because of the scam, he was unable to afford his mortgage payments, had to sell his house and depended on Social Security benefits for all his living expenses. In December 2023, Patel travelled to a residence to retrieve what he believed was a box of gold. However, he was unaware that he was doing so while under law enforcement surveillance, and was promptly arrested after picking up the box.
India Today
2 days ago
- India Today
Indian-origin man jailed in $2 million call center scam targeting elderly Americans
A 33-year-old Indian-origin man, Pranav Patel, has been sentenced to 75 months in prison for his role in a nearly USD 2 million fraud scheme that targeted senior citizens across the United States. The sentencing was handed down by Federal Judge William Jung in Tampa, Florida, on a resident of New Jersey, acted as a "money mule" in a complex fraud operation orchestrated by international call centres. He travelled across the East Coast, including Florida, to collect cash and gold from elderly victims who had been coerced through deceit and part of the sentencing, Patel was also ordered to forfeit USD 1.79 million, which he and his accomplices had extracted from victims under false pretences. According to court documents, the scheme involved callers from overseas posing as officials from the US Treasury Department or other government agencies. They falsely informed seniors that warrants had been issued for their arrest and pressured them to hand over money or valuables to avoid legal action. In some cases, victims were told to surrender their savings for 'safekeeping.'Patel was arrested after attempting to collect a package he believed contained gold. Unaware he was being watched, Patel was arrested by law enforcement moments after collecting the package."Preying on vulnerable, unsuspecting elderly victims to rob them of their hard-earned money is despicable," said Secret Service Special Agent Robert Engel following the sentencing. "Even worse, the defendant's co-conspirators posed as government agents to defraud victims of nearly $2 million, threatening them with arrest if they didn't follow their demands," he victim testified that the scam left him unable to pay his mortgage, ultimately forcing him to sell his home. Patel pleaded guilty to money laundering in December and admitted his role in the fraudulent inputs from IANS
