Indian National Arrested: Cash, gold and elderly victims: How 21-year-old Indian-origin man became ‘money mule’ in $7.5 million US scam
An Indian national has been arrested and charged in the United States for his alleged role as a “money mule” in a multi-million-dollar fraud scheme targeting elderly victims, according to the US Justice Department.Jay Sunilbharthi Goswami, 21, a native of Gujarat who lived in Jersey City, New Jersey, was arrested in Canada while allegedly attempting to flee to Qatar.He faces charges of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering, US Attorney Michael DiGiacomo said.The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, according to the US Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.However, the criminal complaint contains allegations, and Goswami is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Goswami allegedly collected cash, gold from elderly victims
According to the criminal complaint, the IRS Criminal Investigation Division learned in January 2026 of an internet- and telephone-based fraud scheme targeting elderly people in the Western District of New York and elsewhere in the US.The alleged perpetrators reportedly told victims that their bank accounts, funds or personal information had been compromised. They then persuaded them to liquidate their assets into cash, gold or gift cards before posing as law enforcement officials or other figures to further the scheme.When cash or gold was involved, the conspirators allegedly arranged for “money mules” to collect the valuables from victims and deliver them to other members of the conspiracy, the Justice Department said.Goswami allegedly acted as one such money mule. The complaint says he personally collected or conspired to collect cash and gold from elderly victims in New York and New Jersey on at least nine occasions.The nine victims were aged between 59 and 87, and collectively lost approximately $7.56 million, according to the US Justice Department. PTI reported the amount as approximately $7.5 million.
Investigators flag more than $90,000 in cash deposits
The complaint further states that Goswami opened a Bank of America account and deposited more than $90,000 in cash between August 1, 2025, and April 6, 2026.Investigators believe the deposits were consistent with compensation Goswami allegedly received for acting as a money mule in the fraud scheme.Goswami appeared before US Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen on August 17, 2026, and was released under conditions.A day later, at about 10:25 am (local time) on August 18, he allegedly crossed into Canada through the Peace Bridge. US authorities later learned that he had booked a flight from Toronto to Doha, Qatar, that evening.The US Probation Office subsequently submitted a violation report to the court, which issued an order and warrant for his arrest.
Arrested at Toronto airport before Qatar flight
Canadian authorities took Goswami into custody at Toronto Pearson International Airport at about 7:13 pm (local time) on August 18, pursuant to Canadian immigration violations, according to the Justice Department.On August 20, Canadian authorities arrested him following a US request for provisional arrest pending extradition to the United States.The US Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs is assisting with efforts to secure his extradition from Canada.The fraud investigation is being conducted by the IRS Criminal Investigation Division, with assistance from the New York State Police, New Jersey State Police and Homeland Security Investigations.The US Marshals Service, US Border Patrol, US Probation Office and Canadian law enforcement agencies were involved in his re-arrest.Assistant US attorney Meghan K McGuire is prosecuting the case.
