Latest news with #KishanRajeshkumarPatel
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business Standard
Break US law, lose student visa: USCIS warns after ₹1 cr fraud by 2 Indians
The US embassy in India on Thursday warned that holding a visa is 'a privilege, not a right' and that US authorities may revoke visas of individuals who break the law, even after the visa has been issued. The advisory, shared on the embassy's official X handle, follows the sentencing of two Indian students convicted in separate fraud cases targeting elderly Americans. 'Using illegal drugs or breaking any US laws while on a student/visitor visa can make you ineligible for future US visas. A US visa is a privilege, not a right. US visa screening does not stop after a visa is issued – and we may revoke your visa if you break the law,' the embassy posted. Indian student scam elderly Americans Kishan Rajeshkumar Patel, 20, who arrived in the US on a student visa, was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison earlier this week after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. According to the US Department of Justice (DOJ), Patel played a key role in an online scam that impersonated US government officials and used phishing techniques to target elderly Americans. Victims were threatened with legal action and coerced into handing over large sums of money and gold. 'The conspiracy used various online phishing methods and impersonated US government officials, while Patel fraudulently received the cash and gold from victims, conveying a portion to co-conspirators and keeping a percentage for his own benefit,' the DOJ said. Investigators said the operation defrauded at least 25 elderly individuals, with an intended loss totalling \$2.69 million. Patel was arrested in Granite Shoals, Texas, on August 24, 2024, while attempting to collect what he believed was \$130,000. He has remained in federal custody since August 29. 'This defendant took advantage of his visa status in our country and participated in an international fraud scheme,' said US Attorney Justin Simmons. 'Patel defrauded vulnerable American citizens out of millions of dollars by impersonating government officials and preying on his victims' fears of adverse government action.' His co-defendant, Dhruv Rajeshbhai Mangukiya, also an Indian national, pleaded guilty on June 16, 2025, and is awaiting sentencing. Separate case led to 8-year sentence In a related but distinct case, another Indian student, Moinuddin Mohammed, was sentenced earlier this year to eight years in prison for a similar scam that targeted elderly US residents. Mohammed's case also involved impersonation tactics and the laundering of stolen funds through international networks. Authorities estimate the total fraud in his case approached \$6 million. All three individuals were in the US on student visas at the time of the offences. However, the Department of Justice has not disclosed the universities or institutions where they were enrolled. The US Justice Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) continue to caution the public—particularly older adults—against responding to unsolicited messages or calls from individuals claiming to represent government bodies or law enforcement agencies. US officials have reiterated that such scams often involve threats, fake documents, and demands for money under false pretences.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
From student visas to mugshots: Indian nationals convicted in US for fraud; Model minority tag takes rare hit
Representational image They arrived with passports, promises, and WhatsApp forwards about green cards and Trader Joe's frozen samosas. But for three Indian students, the journey from international classroom to American dream took a criminal detour. Kishan Rajeshkumar Patel, 20, was sentenced this week to over five years in prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering. His co-accused, Dhruv Rajeshbhai Mangukiya, pleaded guilty and now awaits sentencing. Both targeted elderly Americans in a phone scam that impersonated IRS and federal officers, threatening victims with arrest. In a separate but near-identical case, Moinuddin Mohammed, another Indian student, was sentenced earlier this year to eight years for orchestrating a similar scheme that defrauded Americans. How it worked: Call, scare, collect The formula was alarmingly simple: cold calls to elderly citizens pretending to be from government agencies, terrifying them with fake legal threats, and coercing them to send large sums. Some victims handed over tens of thousands of dollars — others, even gold — to 'agents' or mules. Patel's scam defrauded at least 25 individuals with an intended loss of $2.7 million. Mohammed's case, separately investigated, saw total losses nearing $6 million. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Once collected, the money was quickly laundered through an international web of transfers. 'These defendants used their visa status to participate in global fraud networks and preyed on some of our most vulnerable citizens,' said US attorney Justin Simmons. One mugshot ≠ Whole story The 'model minority' stereotype was quickly flipped — student visa holders becoming fraudsters and threats. But the numbers tell a more grounded story. With over 270,000 Indian students currently in America, such criminal cases remain rare outliers. With crime now part of their Google legacy, these three join the small but visible list of immigrants whose shortcuts cost them their freedom and future. Meanwhile, most Indian students continue coding, chasing research deadlines, or working at McDonald's — grinding it out the hard way.
NDTV
3 days ago
- NDTV
2 Indian Students Get Jail In Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Schemes In US
Houston: Two Indian nationals studying in the United States have been sentenced to federal prison in separate but similar fraud cases involving elaborate scams that targeted elderly Americans and resulted in millions of dollars in losses. Kishan Rajeshkumar Patel, 20, who entered the US on a student visa, was sentenced this week to 63 months (over five years) in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. According to the US Department of Justice (DOJ), Patel participated in an online phishing conspiracy that impersonated US government officials and used fear tactics to extract money and gold from senior citizens. "The conspiracy used various online phishing methods and impersonated US government officials, while Patel fraudulently received the cash and gold from victims, conveying a portion to co-conspirators and keeping a percentage for his own benefit," the DOJ said. An investigation determined the scheme defrauded at least 25 elderly victims, with an intended loss of $2,694,156. Patel was arrested on August 24, 2024, in Granite Shoals, Texas, while attempting to collect what he believed was $130,000. He has remained in federal custody since August 29. "This defendant took advantage of his visa status in our country and participated in an international fraud scheme," said US Attorney Justin Simmons, adding, "Patel defrauded vulnerable American citizens out of millions of dollars by impersonating government officials and preying on his victims' fears of adverse government action." His co-defendant, Dhruv Rajeshbhai Mangukiya, also an Indian national, pleaded guilty on June 16, 2025, and is awaiting sentencing. In a related but separate case, Moinuddin Mohammed, another Indian student, was sentenced earlier this year to eight years in prison for a similar scam that defrauded elderly Americans of nearly $6 million. His case also involved impersonation tactics and international laundering of the stolen funds. While all three were in the US on student visas, US authorities have not disclosed the educational institutions they were enrolled in. The US Justice Department and FBI continue to urge caution, particularly among seniors, against unsolicited communications from individuals claiming to represent government or law enforcement agencies.
Mint
3 days ago
- Mint
2 Indian students jailed in US for over $8 million fraud targeting senior citizens
Two Indian students in the United States have been sentenced in separate yet similar cases related to elaborate scams that targeted elderly Americans and led to millions of dollars in losses, reported news agency PTI. 20-year-old Kishan Rajeshkumar Patel, who came to the US on a student visa, was sentenced to 63 months (over five years) in prison after pleading guilty to money laundering conspiracy. Patel was involved in an online phishing scam that impersonated US government officials and employed fear tactics to extort money and gold from senior citizens. 'The conspiracy used various online phishing methods and impersonated US government officials, while Patel fraudulently received the cash and gold from victims, conveying a portion to co-conspirators and keeping a percentage for his own benefit,' the report quoted the US Department of Justice (DOJ). At least 25 senior citizens lost money up to $2,694,156 due to the fraud. On August 24, 2024, Patel was arrested in Granite Shoals, Texas, while trying to collect what he thought was $130,000. Since August 29, he has been held in federal custody. 'This defendant took advantage of his visa status in our country and participated in an international fraud scheme,' the report quoted US Attorney Justin Simmons. He further added, 'Patel defrauded vulnerable American citizens out of millions of dollars by impersonating government officials and preying on his victims' fears of adverse government action.' Patel, along with Dhruv Rajeshbhai Mangukiya, another Indian national, pleaded guilty on June 16, 2025. He is waiting for his sentence. In a different but related case, Moinuddin Mohammed, another Indian student, received an eight-year prison sentence earlier this year for a similar scam that defrauded elderly Americans of nearly $6 million. Although all three held student visas in the US, the authorities have not revealed the educational institutions they attended. The US Justice Department and the FBI have cautioned people, especially senior citizens, regarding unverified communications from individuals claiming to represent government or law enforcement agencies.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- The Hindu
2 Indian students sentenced in multi-million dollar fraud schemes targeting elderly Americans
Two Indian nationals studying in the United States have been sentenced to federal prison in separate but similar fraud cases involving elaborate scams that targeted elderly Americans and resulted in millions of dollars in losses. Kishan Rajeshkumar Patel, 20, who entered the U.S. on a student visa, was sentenced this week to 63 months (over five years) in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Patel participated in an online phishing conspiracy that impersonated U.S. government officials and used fear tactics to extract money and gold from senior citizens. 'The conspiracy used various online phishing methods and impersonated U.S. government officials, while Patel fraudulently received the cash and gold from victims, conveying a portion to co-conspirators and keeping a percentage for his own benefit,' the DOJ said. An investigation determined the scheme defrauded at least 25 elderly victims, with an intended loss of $2,694,156. Patel was arrested on August 24, 2024, in Granite Shoals, Texas, while attempting to collect what he believed was $130,000. He has remained in federal custody since August 29. 'This defendant took advantage of his visa status in our country and participated in an international fraud scheme,' said U.S. Attorney Justin Simmons, adding, 'Patel defrauded vulnerable American citizens out of millions of dollars by impersonating government officials and preying on his victims' fears of adverse government action.' His co-defendant, Dhruv Rajeshbhai Mangukiya, also an Indian national, pleaded guilty on June 16, 2025, and is awaiting sentencing. In a related but separate case, Moinuddin Mohammed, another Indian student, was sentenced earlier this year to eight years in prison for a similar scam that defrauded elderly Americans of nearly $6 million. His case also involved impersonation tactics and international laundering of the stolen funds. While all three were in the U.S. on student visas, U.S. authorities have not disclosed the educational institutions they were enrolled in. The U.S. Justice Department and FBI continue to urge caution, particularly among seniors, against unsolicited communications from individuals claiming to represent government or law enforcement agencies.
