Shannon T. Hanson Acting United States Attorney for the District of Delaware | U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware
Rakeshkumar Patel, a 36-year-old resident of Flushing, New York, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy in an elder fraud scam that targeted older Americans. Acting U.S. Attorney Shannon T. Hanson announced the plea, which was accepted by U.S. District Judge Richard G. Andrews.
Court documents reveal that between May 2023 and May 2024, Patel conspired with others to defraud elderly victims across the United States out of at least $2,154,889. The scheme involved fraudsters posing as federal agents who convinced victims their identities had been compromised and they were under federal investigation. Victims were instructed to liquidate their savings into cash or gold bars and deliver them to couriers like Patel.
“The Department’s Elder Justice Initiative is committed to protecting elderly victims from being swindled out of their hard-earned life savings by bad actors like Patel,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Shannon T. Hanson.
FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Bill DelBagno highlighted the emotional and financial toll on victims: "When you talk to victims, you see and hear how gut-wrenching and devastating these scams are."
Victims or those who suspect elder financial fraud can seek assistance through the National Elder Fraud Hotline or report incidents via local law enforcement or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Patel's guilty plea means he could face more than five years in federal prison when sentenced by Judge Andrews, who will consider various guidelines and factors before determining the sentence.
The case was investigated by the FBI Baltimore Field Office’s Wilmington Resident Agency with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys William E. LaRosa and Alexander P. Ibrahim.
Further information can be found on the websites of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware and the District Court for the District of Delaware.
