Daijiworld Media Network- Texas
Houston, Jun 19: In a significant crackdown on international cybercrime, two Indian students in the United States have been sentenced to federal prison for their involvement in elaborate scams that defrauded elderly American citizens of millions of dollars.
Kishan Rajeshkumar Patel (20), who entered the US on a student visa, was sentenced this week to 63 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. The US Department of Justice revealed that Patel was part of an online phishing network that impersonated US government officials and used intimidation tactics to extort cash and gold from senior citizens. He was arrested on August 24, 2024, in Texas while attempting to collect what he believed was $130,000 in cash from a victim. Since then, he has remained in federal custody.
The conspiracy, which targeted at least 25 elderly victims, involved an intended fraud amount of over $2.6 million. Patel reportedly funneled part of the extorted money to co-conspirators while retaining a portion for himself. US Attorney Justin Simmons stated, "Patel defrauded vulnerable American citizens out of millions of dollars by impersonating government officials and preying on his victims' fears."
His co-accused, Dhruv Rajeshbhai Mangukiya, also an Indian national and student, has pleaded guilty and is currently awaiting sentencing.
In a separate but similar case, another Indian student, Moinuddin Mohammed, was sentenced earlier this year to eight years in federal prison. His scam defrauded elderly individuals of nearly $6 million using impersonation tactics and international laundering techniques.
While all three students entered the United States on legal student visas, US authorities have withheld details about the educational institutions they were affiliated with. The Department of Justice and the FBI continue to warn the public—especially senior citizens—against falling prey to unsolicited contacts from individuals claiming to be government or law enforcement officials.
This development serves as a stark reminder of the growing misuse of student visa pathways in international cybercrime and the aggressive stance US authorities are taking to curb such fraudulent activities.