A US district judge sentenced Indian national Ligneshkumar H Patel to 90 months in federal prison for leading a major elder-fraud conspiracy across five Midwestern states. Patel, 38, admitted to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and financial-institution fraud and two counts of wire fraud. The court also directed him to repay more than $2 million.
Prosecutors said Patel and his partners posed as federal or law-enforcement officials to pressure elderly victims into handing over money, account access, or personal information. They told victims their assets needed protection and demanded cash or gold. Authorities said this group ran a wide-ranging scheme that aimed to steal millions.
Court records show Patel travelled to homes in Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin. He collected cash and gold worth $2.23 million from at least 11 victims. Investigators linked the group to at least 85 more victims, bringing the intended loss to more than $6.9 million.
US Attorney Steven D Weinhoeft said imposter scams often rely on US-based money mules who meet victims in person. HSI Chicago special agent Matthew J Scarpino said the case exposes the risks seniors face from organised fraud operations. US authorities have increased their focus on cross-border scams, many with links to international networks.
