Washington: An Indian national has been sentenced to four years in prison in the United States for his role in a cross-border cyber fraud network that targeted elderly Americans through government impersonation scams. According to US authorities, 22-year-old Roshan Shah played a key role in collecting cash and gold from victims on behalf of an India-based fraud syndicate and helping launder the proceeds. Court records show the network defrauded 15 victims of more than $3.7 million (approximately ₹31 crore).
According to the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Shah pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. US District Judge Brett Ludwig sentenced him to four years in federal prison on July 27.
Investigators said Shah is an Indian citizen who was studying in Canada on a student visa. Prosecutors stated that he entered the United States on a visitor visa, where his role was to collect cash and valuables obtained through fraudulent schemes.
Authorities alleged that Shah’s co-conspirators, operating from India, contacted elderly victims by telephone while posing as federal law enforcement officials. They falsely claimed that the victims’ identities had been linked to serious crimes or financial offences and warned them of imminent legal action. The callers then convinced victims that their cash and gold needed to be handed over to a supposed federal agent for “safekeeping.”
As part of the scheme, Shah allegedly posed as that federal agent, visiting victims in person to collect cash and precious metals. Investigators found that he obtained more than $3.7 million in assets from 15 victims across multiple US states.
US authorities said Shah was arrested in New Berlin, Wisconsin, while attempting to collect what he believed were additional fraud proceeds using the same method. Evidence gathered during the investigation led to money laundering conspiracy charges, to which he later pleaded guilty in federal court.
Prosecutors said the case demonstrates how transnational cybercrime networks exploit individuals located in different countries to execute sophisticated fraud operations. While the fraudulent phone calls were allegedly made from abroad, local operatives were used within the United States to collect money and valuables directly from victims, making the scams appear more credible.
Officials also noted that elderly citizens remain among the most vulnerable targets of impersonation and social engineering scams. US law enforcement agencies continue to prioritise investigations into international fraud networks, tracing illicit financial flows and strengthening cross-border cooperation to dismantle such criminal operations.
The investigation was jointly conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the New Berlin Police Department, while prosecutors from the US Attorney’s Office handled the case. Authorities said they remain committed to pursuing international fraud syndicates that prey on senior citizens and to identifying all individuals involved in these cross-border criminal networks.
