New Berlin, Wisconsin, USA: An Indian citizen has been sentenced to 48 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to commit money laundering in a fraud scheme that targeted victims across the United States, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
Roshan Shah, 22, received the sentence on July 27 from U.S. District Judge Brett Ludwig. Federal prosecutors said Shah played a key role in collecting proceeds from a large-scale fraud operation that defrauded victims of more than $3.7 million.
Court documents state that Shah, an Indian citizen studying in Canada on a student visa, entered the United States on a visitor visa to collect money obtained through fraudulent activities.
Investigators said Shah's co-conspirators, operating from India, contacted victims by phone and falsely claimed that their identities had been linked to criminal activity. The callers convinced victims to hand over cash or gold to a supposed federal agent for safekeeping. Authorities said Shah impersonated that agent and personally collected the valuables.
According to court records, Shah collected more than $3.7 million from 15 victims across the United States before being arrested in New Berlin, Wisconsin, while attempting to collect additional proceeds from the same scheme.
During sentencing, Judge Brett Ludwig emphasized the seriousness of the offense and the significant financial and emotional harm caused to the victims, many of whom were elderly and considered especially vulnerable.
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, said the case demonstrates the ongoing threat posed by fraud networks operating both inside and outside the United States. He added that federal authorities remain committed to investigating scams targeting senior citizens and bringing those responsible to justice.
Eric Rice, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Wisconsin, said the agency will continue working with law enforcement partners to identify, investigate and dismantle transnational fraud networks that exploit vulnerable individuals.
The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations and the New Berlin Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary Corey and Peter Smyczek.
