Fraud – Indian Student Sentenced in US for Multimillion-Dollar Scam Targeting Seniors
Fraud – A 22-year-old Indian national studying in Canada has been sentenced to four years in a United States federal prison after being found guilty of participating in a large-scale fraud operation that targeted elderly Americans. Prosecutors said the scheme led to losses of millions of dollars and involved convincing victims to hand over their valuables through false claims that their finances were at risk.
US Court Hands Down Four-Year Prison Term
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin said that US District Judge Brett Ludwig sentenced Roshan Shah to 48 months in prison on July 27 after he was convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Court records state that Shah, an Indian citizen, was pursuing higher education in Canada on a student visa before entering the United States on a visitor visa to collect money and gold obtained through the fraudulent operation.
Investigators said Shah’s role was to retrieve valuables from victims after they had been deceived by members of the network operating from outside the United States.
Victims Were Misled Through False Government Claims
According to court documents, individuals linked to the fraud contacted elderly Americans and falsely informed them that their identities had been connected to criminal activities. The callers claimed that federal authorities needed to secure the victims’ cash and gold until the matter was resolved.
Authorities said Shah allegedly posed as a federal official during the collection process. Victims were instructed to surrender their assets, believing they would be protected in a secure government facility. Prosecutors described the operation as a carefully planned deception designed to exploit fear and confusion among senior citizens.
The investigation found that Shah collected more than USD 3.7 million from 15 victims located across several US states.
Arrest Followed Attempted Gold Collection
Law enforcement officials arrested Shah in 2025 while he was attempting to collect gold from victims in New Berlin, Wisconsin. Officials did not reveal the Canadian province where he had been studying or identify the educational institution he attended.
Federal investigators said the arrest marked a significant step in dismantling the network responsible for targeting vulnerable individuals through impersonation and financial intimidation.
Authorities Highlight Efforts Against Financial Scams
Eric Rice, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Wisconsin, said the sentence reflected the coordinated efforts of federal investigators and prosecutors working to combat fraud directed at older Americans. He added that authorities remain committed to identifying those responsible for similar crimes and protecting the public from financial exploitation.
First Assistant US Attorney Brad Schimel also said the case demonstrated the growing threat posed by fraud networks operating both within and outside the United States. He noted that cooperation between investigative agencies played a key role in securing the conviction.
The investigation was conducted jointly by the US Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, and the New Berlin Police Department.
Similar Case Involving Another Indian Student
The case follows another recent conviction involving an Indian student in the United States. Earlier, 20-year-old Kishan Rajeshkumar Patel was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison after admitting his involvement in a separate money laundering conspiracy.
According to court records, Patel participated in a fraud scheme between July and August 2024 that targeted at least 25 elderly Americans. Investigators said the group used phishing methods and impersonated US government officials to pressure victims into handing over cash and gold, causing estimated losses of around USD 2.7 million.
Patel was arrested in Granite Shoals, Texas, on August 24, 2024, after collecting a package believed to contain approximately USD 130,000. He later entered a guilty plea in federal court on March 18 before receiving his prison sentence.