Indian National Sentenced to Federal Prison for Defrauding Elderly Americans While on Student Visa

A 20-year-old Indian national who exploited his student visa status to participate in an international fraud scheme targeting elderly Americans has been sentenced to more than five years in federal prison.

Kishan Rajeshkumar Patel, of Navsari, Gujarat, was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman for conspiracy to commit money laundering. The sentence was handed down in Austin federal court following Patel’s guilty plea in March.

According to court documents, Patel conspired with co-defendant Dhruv Rajeshbhai Mangukiya and others to defraud elderly victims out of hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and gold during a concentrated period from July through August 2024.

The criminal conspiracy employed sophisticated tactics including online phishing methods and impersonation of U.S. government officials. Patel’s role involved fraudulently receiving cash and gold from victims, then conveying portions to co-conspirators while retaining a percentage for himself.

Federal investigators have determined that the scheme defrauded at least 25 victims with a total intended loss of at least $2,694,156 – a staggering sum that highlights the scope and impact of the operation.

Arrest and Prosecution

Patel’s criminal activities came to an abrupt end on August 24, 2024, when he was arrested by the Granite Shoals Police Department. The arrest occurred after Patel retrieved a box represented to contain $130,000 from a victim’s residence – a transaction that proved to be his downfall.

U.S. Attorney Justin Simmons for the Western District of Texas emphasized the severity of Patel’s crimes, particularly his exploitation of his legal status in the United States.

He was transferred into federal custody five days later on August 29 and subsequently pleaded guilty on March 18, 2025.

U.S. Attorney Justin Simmons for the Western District of Texas emphasized the severity of Patel’s crimes, particularly his exploitation of his legal status in the United States.

“This defendant took advantage of his visa status in our country and participated in an international fraud scheme,” Simmons said. “Patel defrauded vulnerable American citizens out of millions of dollars by impersonating government officials and preying on his victims’ fears of adverse government action. Today’s sentence demonstrates the federal government’s commitment to prosecuting the perpetrators of such nefarious schemes and achieving justice for the victims.”

Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp of the FBI’s San Antonio Field Office highlighted the bureau’s dedication to protecting elderly Americans from financial predators.

“The FBI is deeply committed to protecting the American people from the devastating effects of financial fraud. We prioritize and aggressively pursue those who prey on our elderly population,” Tapp stated. “We want to thank our colleagues at the Granite Shoals Police Department for their professionalism and dedication to the citizens they serve.”

Patel’s co-defendant, Dhruv Rajeshbhai Mangukiya, pleaded guilty on June 16, 2024, and is awaiting his sentence hearing. The case demonstrates the international nature of modern fraud schemes and the coordination required between federal and local law enforcement to combat them.

The FBI investigated the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Henneke handling the prosecution.

This case represents part of a broader pattern of international fraud schemes that specifically target elderly Americans, often exploiting their trust in government institutions and fear of legal consequences. Such schemes have become increasingly sophisticated, utilizing technology and impersonation tactics to maximize their impact on vulnerable populations.

The substantial prison sentence handed down to Patel serves as both punishment for his crimes and a deterrent to others who might consider similar schemes targeting America’s elderly population.