Roshan Shah, a 22-year-old citizen of India, was sentenced on July 27 to 48 months’ imprisonment for conspiring to commit money laundering, according to an announcement by Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
Court records show that Shah was attending college in Canada on a student visa before entering the United States on a visitor visa to collect fraud proceeds. Co-conspirators based in India contacted victims and convinced them their identities had been used in crimes. The victims were told they needed to surrender cash or gold to a federal agent—impersonated by Shah—for safekeeping.
Shah collected more than $3.7 million from 15 victims across the United States and was arrested while attempting another collection using the same scheme in New Berlin, Wisconsin. At sentencing, United States District Judge Brett Ludwig emphasized the seriousness of Shah’s actions and their impact on elderly and vulnerable victims.
“This case highlights the danger faced by Americans from fraudsters both here and overseas,” said Schimel. “This conviction and sentence are the result of the intensive efforts of federal law enforcement working closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to combat the scourge of fraud targeting our seniors. This case should serve as a reminder that we will continue to devote substantial resources to fighting fraud, holding scammers accountable, and protecting Americans from these schemes.”
Eric Rice, Homeland Security Investigations Wisconsin Assistant Special Agent in Charge, said, “Homeland Security Investigations remains steadfast in our commitment to protecting the American public from transnational fraud schemes that target our most vulnerable citizens.” Rice continued: “This case demonstrates the impact of coordinated law enforcement efforts to disrupt criminal networks that prey on victims across borders. We will continue to work with our partners to identify, investigate, and bring to justice those who seek to exploit and defraud members of our communities.”
The investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations and New Berlin Police Department; prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Zachary Corey and Peter Smyczek.
The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin serves as part of the U.S. Department of Justice—a federal prosecutorial entity responsible for ensuring public safety through impartial justice delivery—and works alongside various law enforcement partners throughout Eastern Wisconsin, according to its official website.