An Indian-origin man in Texas has been sentenced to five years in prison for his role in a tax fraud scheme that helped business owners conceal more than $27 million in income from the US government, according to court documents cited in the report.
Aanand Shukla of Jonestown, Texas, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States in connection with his efforts to promote a fraudulent tax shelter to business owners across the country. The Western District Court of Texas sentenced him to 60 months in prison.
Tax Shelter Promoted to Business Owners Nationwide
According to court documents and statements made in court, Shukla and his co-conspirators promoted, sold and personally used what was described as an abusive trust tax shelter between 2017 and 2025.
The arrangement was marketed to business owners with claims that they could eliminate taxes on nearly all of their business income while retaining full control over their money. Quoted fees for the arrangement went as high as $225,000.
Shukla marketed the scheme nationwide through seminars, webinars, podcasts and direct sales pitches.
The report said clients were instructed to restructure their companies so that approximately 98 per cent of their business income flowed through layered trusts and a private family foundation. A Department of Justice statement said Shukla also instructed clients to route personal expenses, including vehicles, entertainment and mortgage payments, through trust accounts and claim them as deductions.
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More Than $27 Million in Income Concealed
Shukla typically sold the trust packages for between $25,000 and $55,000, according to the report. He created trust documents, trained other promoters and referred clients to tax preparers whom he had personally selected and knew would participate in the scheme.
Through the arrangement, Shukla facilitated the concealment of more than $27 million in income from the Internal Revenue Service.
The scheme centred on moving business income through a network of trusts while allowing clients to maintain control of their funds. The structure was promoted as a way for business owners to substantially reduce or eliminate taxes on their business income.
Texas Court Imposes Five-Year Prison Term
Shukla pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States in relation to the fraudulent tax shelter scheme.
The Western District Court of Texas sentenced him to 60 months in prison, equivalent to five years.
The sentence followed his guilty plea and court proceedings concerning a scheme that, according to the documents cited in the report, operated from 2017 to 2025 and was promoted to business owners across the United States.
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