Indian National Sentenced to Over Seven Years in US for Multi-State Elder Scam Defrauding Millions

In a stark reminder of the growing threat of transnational elder fraud, a federal court in the United States has handed down a seven-and-a-half-year prison term to an Indian national involved in a sophisticated scam that bilked seniors out of more than $2.2 million.

Ligneshkumar H. Patel, a 38-year-old from India, received the 90-month sentence after admitting guilt to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and financial institution fraud, as well as two counts of wire fraud. Alongside the incarceration, Patel must repay over $2 million to his victims, according to an announcement from the Department of Justice.

The scheme, which spanned Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin, relied on impersonation tactics where fraudsters posed as law enforcement or government officials. Victims, primarily vulnerable elderly individuals, were coerced into handing over cash, gold, or access to their bank accounts under the false pretense that their assets required safeguarding from imminent threats. “Imposter scams are international conspiracies often using US-based money mules to meet victims in person to take their money,” noted Steven D. Weinhoeft, the US Attorney overseeing the case.

Court documents reveal Patel’s hands-on role: He made in-person visits to the residences of at least 11 seniors in these states, extracting a total of $2,231,216.99 in funds and valuables. This episode formed part of a larger operation implicating over 85 victims and aiming for losses surpassing $6.9 million, prosecutors detailed.

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Federal authorities, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), emphasized the operation’s severity. “This case highlights the serious consequences for individuals who prey on the elderly through sophisticated fraud schemes,” stated Matthew J. Scarpino, special agent in charge of HSI’s Chicago office.

Such prosecutions have surged in recent years as US agencies ramp up operations against border-crossing cons, frequently tied to global syndicates. Collaboration between American and Indian law enforcement has grown, with several defendants of Indian origin facing charges in parallel financial and cybercrime probes.