Daijiworld Media Network- Washington
Washington, Jun 20: In a shocking revelation that has dented the image of Indian student immigrants in the United States, three Indian nationals have been convicted for their roles in large-scale phone scams that targeted elderly American citizens, siphoning off millions under the guise of law enforcement threats.
Among those sentenced is 20-year-old Kishan Rajeshkumar Patel, who will now serve over five years in a US prison after being found guilty of conspiring to commit money laundering. His associate, Dhruv Rajeshbhai Mangukiya, who played a key role in the same racket, has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing. In a similar but separate case, another Indian student, Moinuddin Mohammed, has already been sentenced to eight years in prison earlier this year.
Investigations revealed that the fraudsters impersonated officials from the IRS and other federal agencies to intimidate elderly victims into transferring large sums of money, sometimes even in the form of gold. The collected funds were swiftly laundered across international networks, making recovery nearly impossible. Authorities confirmed that Patel’s scheme alone targeted 25 victims and attempted to defraud them of an estimated $2.7 million. The scam linked to Mohammed was even larger, with financial damages running close to $6 million.
US Attorney Justin Simmons strongly condemned the actions, stating that the perpetrators exploited their student visa status to operate within international fraud circles, preying on some of the most vulnerable members of society.
Though such criminal cases are rare, they have cast a shadow on the vast Indian student diaspora in the US, which currently stands at over 270,000. While these incidents have made headlines, officials and community members stress that the overwhelming majority of Indian students continue to pursue their education and careers with integrity, contributing positively to academia, industry, and society.
The actions of a few, however, have now made their mark — leaving behind not just court judgments and prison sentences, but also a stain on what was once a journey of ambition and promise.