TAMPA, Fla. – A Sanford man has been sentenced to nearly four years in federal prison for his role in a sophisticated scheme that defrauded senior citizens out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Viraj Patel, 29, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. He acted as a “money mule” for a group of scammers who impersonated government officials and representatives of financial institutions.
The scammers, often operating from India, would call elderly victims in the U.S. and claim their identities had been compromised. They would then demand payment to resolve the issue, often instructing victims to purchase gold bars or withdraw large sums of cash. Patel would then collect the money or gold from the victims and deliver it to his co-conspirators.
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In one instance, Patel and his co-conspirators tricked a senior citizen in Pinellas County into handing over $71,000 worth of gold bars and $50,000 in cash. Patel was arrested by law enforcement while in possession of the $50,000.
“Patel and his co-conspirators preyed on law-abiding citizens by pretending to be government officials,” said Robert Engel, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service Tampa Field Office. “He showed no regard for the law, or those he scammed. This sentence should serve as a warning to potential thieves that they will be caught and prosecuted. The U.S. Secret Service is committed to investigating cases of fraud and to working with our law enforcement partners to pursue justice for victims of financial crime across the country.”
Patel’s sentencing sends a strong message that those who exploit vulnerable individuals for financial gain will face serious consequences. The U.S. Secret Service remains committed to investigating and prosecuting such crimes.
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