Latest news with #SidharthaMukherjee
Mint
21-07-2025
- Mint
Who are Sidhartha 'Sammy' Mukherjee and Sunita Mukherjee? Indian origin couple arrested in $4 million fraud in Texas
Celebrated for their glamorous public appearances and Bollywood-style performances, Sidhartha Mukherjee, aka Sammy, and his wife, Sunita Mukherjee, were known faces of the Indian community in North Texas. However, according to a Daily Mail report, the couple has been arrested in connection with a multimillion-dollar real estate fraud case. They have allegedly defrauded over 100 victims of at least $4 million ( ₹ 33 crore) through fictitious investment projects, and are now facing first-degree felony theft charges. The Mukherjees are currently being held at a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility. The Mukherjees reportedly arrived in the US from India seeking asylum. Over the years, they hosted Bollywood-style musical events and cultural parties and became well-known in North Texas social circles. The couple maintained an active public presence until just before their arrest, but had filed for bankruptcy in 2024. Investigators are now exploring whether the defrauded funds were moved offshore or into cryptocurrency accounts. According to the arrest affidavit, Sidhartha Mukherjee also has outstanding fraud warrants in Mumbai. If convicted, Sidhartha and Sunita Mukherjee could face prison sentences ranging from five to 99 years. However, the Mukherjees have denied all allegations of fraud and distortion, alleging that they are the victims of a conspiracy. According to investigators, the couple lured victims into non-existent real estate deals by promising high returns. Investors were given fake, but convincing documents, including fake remodelling contracts and invoices allegedly from the Dallas Housing Authority. 'The investors didn't realise the fraud until the dividend cheques started to bounce,' reported CBS News. The fraudulent scheme came to light in 2024 when a couple claimed to have lost $325,000 and approached authorities. The investigation launched by Euless Police later expanded with FBI involvement. Detective Brian Brennan of Euless Police told CBS that he has never seen a 'fraudster' in his 23 years as 'prolific' as Sammy Mukherjee. Brennan said that the verification of the Dallas Housing Authority invoices confirmed that the projects were entirely fabricated. Several victims have come forward to describe the couple's persuasive and glamorous facade. So far, only 20 victims have been officially recorded, but investigators believe the total number may exceed 100. 'They will make you believe that they are very successful businesspeople. But they will take every single penny you have,' said Terry Parvaga, one of the victims, in a statement to CBS News. The couple allegedly targeted elderly individuals and was also involved in a PPP scam. The Mukherjees would reportedly target their older victims with threatening emails, falsely warning them of imminent arrest unless immediate payments were made. The Daily Mail reported that they are also accused of submitting false documents to obtain federal pandemic relief under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). To avail themselves of the benefits, they listed fake employees and fabricated payroll records.
Daily Mail
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Glamorous Bollywood couple lands in ICE detention after million dollar secret is revealed
A Bollywood singer and her husband have been taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following allegations of his involvement in a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme. Sidhartha 'Sammy' Mukherjee and his wife Sunita, known for their Bollywood-style singing and regular appearances at cultural galas, face first-degree felony theft charges after federal authorities uncovered an elaborate operation that defrauded investors of more than $4 million. Following their June arrest, both Sammy and Sunita posted bond amounts of $500,000, and Sammy was detained by ICE agents. He is currently being held at an ICE detention facility south of Fort Worth. The Mukherjees, who had built a reputation as entertainers in North Texas, have been accused of luring investors into what appeared to be legitimate real estate opportunities. However, authorities claim that the investments were entirely fraudulent, with victims unknowingly funneling money into non-existent projects. 'In [my] 23 years, [Sammy Mukherjee] is probably the most prolific fraudster I've seen,' Detective Brian Brennan of the Euless Police Department told CBS News. The sprawling investigation into the Mukherjees began in 2024, when a couple came forward claiming they had lost $325,000 in an alleged real estate scheme. 'At first, we thought this was a small, civil dispute,' Detective Brennan said. 'But as I dug deeper, we realized this was much larger than initially reported.' As the investigation progressed, Brennan uncovered a series of forged documents, including fake invoices and remodeling contracts purporting to involve the Dallas Housing Authority. Upon verifying the documents, authorities determined they were entirely fabricated. 'All fake,' Brennan said of the shocking amount of forged papers. 'The level of counterfeit documents … it had to be a full-time job for him to do that,' Brennan added. Brennan later sought federal intervention. Forensic accountants, working alongside the FBI, were able to trace the movement of funds, identifying more than $4 million in confirmed losses, CBS News reported. Though just 20 victims have been officially recorded, investigators now believe that more than 100 individuals may have been affected. But, the Mukherjees' fraudulent activities didn't stop at real estate. Following their June arrest, both Sammy and Sunita posted bond amounts of $500,000, and Sammy was detained by ICE agents According to an arrest affidavit, the couple allegedly submitted a false application for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan - a financial assistance program created by the U.S. federal government during the pandemic - listing fictitious employees and creating fake company records. During an FBI interview at a McDonald's in Plano, Sammy reportedly denied recognizing the names listed on the payroll form tied to the loan application. Further investigation revealed that the couple also targeted elderly individuals with threatening emails, falsely warning them they would be arrested unless they made immediate payments, according to CBS News. Despite mounting evidence against them, the Mukherjees continued to maintain a public profile. In May 2024, they headlined a cultural gala, hosted by the Indian Traditions & Cultural Society of North America - a nonprofit organization registered at their Plano home. Just weeks later, the couple was arrested at their home and are now facing first-degree felony theft charges, which, if convicted, could amount to sentences ranging from five to 99 years in prison. Investigators say the couple arrived in the U.S. from India seeking asylum, though federal records do not currently indicate their immigration status. The arrest affidavit also references documentation suggesting that Sammy has outstanding fraud warrants in Mumbai, India, according to CBS News. As for the victims, the chances of recovering their lost funds appear slim. The Mukherjees filed for bankruptcy in 2024, and investigators are continuing to trace the missing money, examining whether it may have been moved offshore or into cryptocurrency accounts. 'I think it's gone,' Brennan said. 'I think they've spent it on cars, their house, and in just living expenses.' Reflecting on his experience 'doing business' with the disgraced couple, Seshu Madabhushi, an alleged victim, said he never would have expected this. 'Looking back, we should have been much wiser in terms of asking questions,' Madabhushi said. 'But we never thought someone would go to that extent.' 'They will make you believe that they are very successful businesspeople,' Terry Parvaga, another alleged fraud victim, told CBS News. 'But they will take every single penny you have.'
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Investigator says the 'most prolific' fraudsters he's ever seen are a pair of Texas singers
The behind-the-scenes reality wasn't nearly as glamorous as the show they put on. Sidhartha 'Sammy' Mukherjee and his wife Sunita built their reputation as Bollywood-style performers. Beloved in the community, the couple were more than just entertainers — they were stars. Don't miss Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it But now, investigators say they played a much darker role, one rooted not in music but in manipulation. Authorities believe more than 100 investors may have handed over money to Mukherjee for real estate deals that never existed. When dividend cheques started to bounce, suspicions grew. "They will make you believe that they are very successful businesspeople," Terry Parvaga, an alleged fraud victim, told CBS News. "But they will take every single penny you have." At first, police dismissed the complaints as civil disputes. Then a couple came forward, claiming they lost $325,000 in an investment scheme. That's when Detective Brian Brennan of the Euless Police Department took a closer look. "As I got into the case and dug into it, we realized that this was a lot larger than what initially was reported," Brennan said. Here's how it all unraveled. Paper trails and red flags At first glance, the pitch looked legit: remodeling contracts and invoices bearing the Dallas Housing Authority's name. But when Brennan called the agency to verify the deal, the illusion crumbled; there was no such project. "All fake," Brennan said. "The level of counterfeit documents … it had to be a full-time job for him to do that." A new report from IPX1031 found that nearly 30% of Americans have been scammed in 2024, and this case fits right into that growing trend. As the scheme ballooned, Brennan called in the FBI. Forensic accountants traced the cash, uncovering more than $4 million in confirmed losses. So far, 20 victims are on record, but investigators say the real number could top 100. Read more: Americans are 'revenge saving' to survive — but millions only get a measly 1% on their savings. A web of scams, not just showbiz It wasn't just real estate deals raising eyebrows. According to the arrest affidavit, the couple also used a fake company — complete with fake employees — to apply for a federal Paycheck Protection Program loan. When questioned by the FBI over lunch at a McDonald's, Mukherjee claimed he didn't recognize the names on the payroll form tied to his application — a slip-up that sent up serious red flags. And the paper trail didn't stop there. Authorities say the couple's bank accounts were also padded with funds from elderly victims who were targeted with threatening emails that falsely claimed they would go to jail unless they made payments. The FBI warns this isn't uncommon: in 2024, older Americans lost nearly $4.9 billion to fraud schemes — a 43% jump from the year before. "In [my] 23 years, [Sammy Mukherjee] is probably the most prolific fraudster I've seen," Brennan told the CBS News Texas I-Team. "Tentacles going in all different directions." Even as investigators closed in, the Mukherjees stayed in the spotlight, headlining a cultural gala under a nonprofit. One problem — tax records show the nonprofit was registered at their own home, the same place where police eventually made the arrest. The final curtain falls The spotlight has dimmed on the Mukherjees, and this time, there's no encore. The couple is now facing a first-degree felony theft charge that could put them behind bars for five to 99 years. After posting a $500,000 bond each, ICE agents showed up at their Plano home and took Sammy into custody. While the criminal case moves forward, alleged victims remain stuck in financial limbo. The Mukherjees filed for bankruptcy last year, and investigators are still following paper trails to see if any of the missing millions ended up in offshore accounts or crypto wallets. If an investment opportunity feels too good to be true — even when it comes from someone charismatic or well-connected — that's your sign to hit pause. Always verify documents, check for independent records and talk to a licensed financial advisor before sending money. If you've already fallen victim to a scam, getting your money back can be tough, and you can't undo any personal information that's been exposed. But you can take steps to limit the damage. Report the fraud to the Federal Trade Commission, Better Business Bureau and any company involved, such as your bank or email provider. If you clicked on a suspicious link, run a virus scan. Change any passwords the scammer may have accessed and consider using passkeys for added protection. If you share personal or financial details, consider adding a free fraud alert or credit freeze to your credit report to help prevent further identity theft. What to read next Robert Kiyosaki warns of 'massive unemployment' in the US due to the 'biggest change' in history — and says this 1 group of 'smart' Americans will get hit extra hard. Are you one of them? How much cash do you plan to keep on hand after you retire? Here are 3 of the biggest reasons you'll need a substantial stash of savings in retirement Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Solve the daily Crossword
CBS News
16-07-2025
- CBS News
From Bollywood glitz to ICE detention: Plano couple accused of multimillion-dollar fraud
Sidhartha "Sammy" Mukherjee and his wife Sunita lit up stages across North Texas with their voices — and lit up social circles with their charm. The Plano couple, known for their Bollywood-style performances, became local celebrities, hosting parties and headlining music and cultural events. But federal investigators allege that behind the curtain of applause was a different kind of performance — one that, according to the FBI's review of the Mukherjees' bank records, may have left more than 100 people defrauded. "They will make you believe that they are very successful businesspeople," said Terry Parvaga, an alleged fraud victim. "But they will take every single penny you have." In June, the Mukherjees were arrested and charged in Tarrant County with first-degree felony theft. The CBS News Texas I-Team began investigating the Mukherjees nearly two years ago. Parvaga is one of nearly a dozen alleged victims the I-Team interviewed in March of 2024. The alleged victims said they were lured into investing in what they believed were legitimate real estate deals. The Mukherjees allegedly promised high returns, but suspicion set in when dividend checks started to bounce. "Looking back, we should have been much wiser in terms of asking questions," said Seshu Madabhushi, another alleged victim. "But we never thought someone would go to that extent." Several police departments initially dismissed the complaints as civil disputes. But Euless Police Detective Brian Brennan, a veteran white-collar crime investigator, agreed to take on the case when he was approached by a couple claiming they had lost $325,000 in an alleged investment scheme. "As I got into the case and dug into it, we realized that this was a lot larger than what initially was reported," Brennan said. Multiple investors accuse the Mukherjees of providing what appeared to be remodeling contracts and invoices from the Dallas Housing Authority. They said the documents convinced them to invest in what they believed were lucrative remodeling projects. When Brennan contacted the DHA, he said he discovered the housing authority had no such projects. According to the affidavit for arrest, "all of the paperwork, receipt and email correspondence were forged." The affidavit also states that investigators believe the Mukherjees used forged documents in other investment deals as well. "All fake," Brennan said. "The level of counterfeit documents … it had to be a full-time job for him to do that." As the case expanded, Brennan brought in the FBI. According to federal investigators, forensic accountants determined that victim losses totaled more than $4 million, with 20 confirmed victims and over 100 potential victims. The alleged deception extended beyond real estate. According to the affidavit for arrest, the Mukherjees used a fake company with fictitious employees to apply for a federal Paycheck Protection Program loan. In June, Brennan and an FBI agent met with Sammy Mukherjee at a McDonald's restaurant in Plano to discuss his investment companies. During that meeting, according to the affidavit, the FBI agent asked Mukherjee if he recognized the names "Richard Jackson," "Nikki Reynolds" and "Mike Summerville." Mukherjee responded that he did not. According to the affidavit, those names were listed on a payroll form Mukherjee submitted as part of the PPP loan application. The affidavit also states that investigators questioned Mukherjee about checks that had allegedly been deposited into the couple's bank accounts. According to the affidavit, the funds came "from defrauding elderly folks" who were "scammed out of monies responding to threatening emails about arrest." Investigators said the victims believed they were sending money to law enforcement to avoid jail time. Mukherjee allegedly told investigators the checks were given to him by a business partner and that the money was supposed to be from investors for a hotel project, according to the affidavit. When asked about contacting the business partner, Mukherjee reportedly told investigators the partner had died the previous year. "In [my] 23 years, [Sammy Mukherjee] is probably the most prolific fraudster I've seen," Brennan told the CBS News Texas I-Team. "Tentacles going in all different directions." Even as the investigation progressed, the Mukherjees continued to seek the spotlight. In May, they headlined a charity gala in Richardson hosted by a newly formed nonprofit, the Indian Traditions & Cultural Society of North America. The guest of honor was a Bollywood legend from India. Other guests included the mayor of Plano. Tax records show the nonprofit is registered to the couple's Plano home — the same residence where they were arrested weeks later. Sammy and Sunita Mukherjee have been charged with first-degree felony theft, a charge that carries a potential sentence of five to 99 years in prison if convicted. After both posted a $500,000 bond, Sammy Mukherjee was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at his Plano home. He is currently being held at an ICE detention facility south of Fort Worth. Investigators said the couple came to the United States from India seeking asylum. Federal online records do not indicate their current immigration status. According to the arrest affidavit, the alleged victims also submitted documentation indicating that Sammy Mukherjee has outstanding fraud warrants in Mumbai, India. The CBS News Texas I-Team reached out to the couple's criminal attorney for comment and has not heard back. When contacted last year by the I-Team, Sammy Mukherjee denied all allegations, claiming he was the victim of a coordinated effort by dozens of people to defame him because they're jealous of his status and success. After the I-Team's initial report aired in July 2024, Mukherjee and his attorney sent a legal notice demanding multiple retractions and corrections. In that notice, they alleged the reporting was false and that Mukherjee never defrauded anyone. That same I-Team report is now referenced in the affidavit for the couple's arrest. The likelihood of victims recovering their money appears slim, according to investigators. The Mukherjees filed for bankruptcy last year. Investigators are still working to determine whether any funds were moved offshore or into a cryptocurrency account. "I think it's gone," Brennan told the I-Team. "I think they've spent it on cars, their house, and in just living expenses."
