A federal grand jury has indicted Roshan Shah, a 21-year-old citizen of India, on charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering. The indictment was announced by Richard G. Frohling, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
According to court documents, Shah had entered the United States on a visitor’s visa after being in Canada on a student visa. Authorities allege that he traveled across multiple states to collect cash and gold from individuals who were targeted in fraud schemes. He is accused of transferring these proceeds to others involved in the conspiracy.
Shah was arrested in New Berlin, Wisconsin, after attempting to pick up gold from victims there. The indictment details how unidentified co-conspirators posed as law enforcement officials and convinced victims they needed to convert their assets into gold for safekeeping due to an alleged scheme targeting them. Victims were told that couriers would transport the gold to a safety deposit box in Washington, D.C., under the pretense it was for their protection. It is reported that more than $500,000 worth of gold had already been handed over by victims believing they were cooperating with federal authorities.
The investigation into this case was conducted by the New Berlin Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Zachary J. Corey will prosecute the case.
Richard G. Frohling stated: "An indictment and a criminal complaint are not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt."
For further information about this case or other matters handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, contact Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero at (414) 297-1700.
