US: Indian National Arrested in Multi-Million-Dollar Fraud Case
Goswami allegedly worked as a money mule, helping collect money and gold from elderly victims.
United States: A 21-year-old Indian national, Sunilbharthi Goswami, a native of Gujarat, has been arrested by US authorities on charges of wire fraud and money laundering. The offences carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
Goswami, who was living in Jersey City, New Jersey, was arrested in Canada while allegedly attempting to fly.
Goswami allegedly worked as a money mule, helping collect money and gold from elderly victims. According to the charges, he personally collected or helped collect cash and gold from elderly people in New York and New Jersey on at least nine occasions. The victims were between 59 and 87 years old and collectively lost around $7.56 million.
According to the complaint, the IRS Criminal Investigation Division discovered a fraud scheme in January 2026 that targeted elderly people in New York and other parts of the US. The fraudsters allegedly called or contacted victims online and falsely told them that their bank accounts, money or personal information had been hacked and tried to convince them to withdraw their savings or convert their assets into cash, gold or gift cards.
According to the criminal complaint, Goswami deposited over $90,000 in cash into his Bank of America account between August 1, 2025, and April 6, 2026. Investigators suspect the money was linked to his alleged role as a money mule.
According to the United States Attorney's Office, Western District of New York, "Goswami made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen on August 17, 2026, and was released on conditions. On August 18, 2026, at approximately 10:25 a.m., he fled the United Stats by crossing into Canada at the Peace Bridge. Law enforcement subsequently learned that Goswami was booked on a flight to Doha, Qatar out of Toronto, Ontario, later that evening. The United States Probation Office submitted a Violation Report of Defendant Under Pretrial Supervision to the Court, which issued an Order and Warrant of Arrest. At approximately 7:13 p.m., Canadian law enforcement officials took Goswami into custody, pursuant to Canadian immigration violations, at the Toronto Pearson International Airport. On August 20, Canadian authorities arrested Goswami pursuant to the request for provisional arrest for extradition to the United States. "
