Pradip Parikh, 67, from Valley Stream, New York, and Alpesh Patel, 40, from Louisa, Virginia, have been found guilty for their involvement in a transnational telephone scam that defrauded numerous Americans out of millions. The conviction followed a five-day jury trial.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg stated: “This case involved a scheme to defraud multiple victims – many of whom were elderly – and to callously rob them of their hard-earned savings.” He emphasized the defendants' use of government-imposter scams to exploit public trust in federal institutions.
Michelle L. Anderson from the Social Security Administration remarked on the targeting of vulnerable citizens by impersonating Social Security officials. “Today’s convictions send a clear message: we will relentlessly pursue those who weaponize fear and deceit to commit fraud,” she said.
FBI Atlanta Special Agent Paul Brown highlighted the focus on older adults as targets in this scheme: “This sentencing should make it known to individuals that protecting our most vulnerable community members is critically important.”
In 2022, Parikh and Patel were among ten individuals indicted for orchestrating an India-based call center scam aimed at Americans. The perpetrators posed as Social Security Administration employees and deceived victims into transferring money under false pretenses.
Testimonies during the trial included accounts from victims like a 70-year-old woman from New Jersey who transferred over $600,000 after being threatened with arrest and asset loss. Another victim testified about transferring more than $300,000 as part of the fraudulent scheme.
Parikh and Patel faced charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. While Patel was convicted on all counts, Parikh was found guilty of conspiracy to commit money laundering and two substantive counts of money laundering.
The maximum penalty for conspiracy to commit wire fraud is 20 years imprisonment; each count of money laundering carries up to ten years. Sentencing hearings will be scheduled before United States District Judge William M. Ray II.
The investigation was conducted by the Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General and the FBI. Prosecutors include Assistant United States Attorney Angela Adams and Special Assistant United States Attorney Diane C. Schulman.
This case falls under the Department of Justice Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force's jurisdiction, which targets foreign-based fraud schemes affecting American seniors.
For further information on these scams or media inquiries, contact details are provided for the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office.
