Washington, Dec 11 — A U.S. district judge has sentenced Ligneshkumar H. Patel, an Indian national, to 90 months in federal prison for his role in a large imposter‑fraud scheme that targeted elderly residents in five Midwestern states, causing projected losses of more than $2.2 million.
Patel, 38, pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and financial institution fraud, plus two counts of wire fraud. The Department of Justice reported the court ordered him to pay over $2 million in restitution.
“Imposter scams are international conspiracies often using US‑based money mules to meet victims in person to take their money,” US Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft said.
Prosecutors explained that Patel and his co‑conspirators posed as law‑enforcement or federal agents “to defraud people into giving them money, access to financial accounts or other personal information.” The victims were persuaded to surrender their assets for “protection.”
Court filings indicate that Patel personally visited at least 11 elderly victims in Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin, collecting cash and gold worth $2,231,216.99. Prosecutors contend he operated within a larger plot that involved no fewer than 85 other victims and intended to siphon more than $6.9 million.
“This case highlights the serious consequences for individuals who prey on the elderly through sophisticated fraud schemes,” said Matthew J. Scarpino, special agent in charge of HSI Chicago.
Elder‑fraud prosecutions have surged in recent years in the United States as federal agencies intensify efforts against cross‑border scams linked to international networks. Defendants of Indian origin have appeared in several such cases, reflecting growing cooperation between the two countries on cyber and financial‑crime investigations.
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