An Indian man who exploited his U.S. student visa to fleece elderly Americans through an international money laundering scheme has been sentenced to over five years in federal prison, as the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas announced. Kishan Rajeshkumar Patel, aged 20, faced the music at a federal court in Austin when U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman handed him a 63-month sentence for his part in a conspiracy defrauding victims out of significant sums of money and gold.
The court documents reveal that from July to August 2024, Patel, alongside Dhruv Rajeshbhai Mangukiya and associates, conducted online phishing attacks and posed as government officials to deceive the elderly—Patel was arrested after collecting a box he thought contained $130,000 from a victim by the Granite Shoals Police Department before being transferred to federal custody.
"This defendant took advantage of his visa status in our country and participated in an international fraud scheme," said U.S. Attorney Justin Simmons in a statement obtained by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, emphasizing that the stiff sentence reflects a commitment to bringing scammers to justice. Meanwhile, the FBI, underlining its dedication to safeguarding Americans from financial tricks, trumpeted its role in bringing Patel's reign of deceit to an end.
Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp informed the public of the FBI's resolve, "We prioritize and aggressively pursue those who prey on our elderly population," expressing gratitude to the Granite Shoals Police Department in response to its collaboration, Patel's co-conspirator Mangukiya entered a guilty plea on June 16 and as he now waits for his sentencing, it demonstrates how the law is persistent in its pursuit to hold accountable those who exploit the vulnerable.
The case was a feather in the cap for the FBI, highlighting its unflagging efforts to combat financial crimes targeting elderly citizens, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Henneke notched a win with his successful prosecution of the case against Patel.
