Student Visa EXPLOITED—Seniors Robbed of Millions

A foreign national exploited America’s student visa system to orchestrate a massive elder fraud scheme that stripped vulnerable seniors of nearly $2.7 million, exposing critical weaknesses in our immigration vetting process that patriots have warned about for years.

Story Snapshot

Indian national Kishan Patel sentenced to over 5 years in federal prison for targeting 25+ elderly Americans in phishing scheme
Patel used student visa status to collect $2.69 million in cash and gold from victims frightened by fake government impersonation calls
Case highlights pattern of foreign students exploiting U.S. visa access to prey on America’s most vulnerable citizens
DOJ emphasizes commitment to prosecuting visa abuse while FBI warns of proliferating international fraud rings targeting seniors

Student Visa Exploited in Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Operation

Kishan Rajeshkumar Patel, a 20-year-old Indian national on a student visa, received a 63-month federal prison sentence in Austin, Texas, for conspiracy to commit money laundering in June 2025. Patel and co-conspirator Dhruv Rajeshbhai Mangukiya orchestrated a phishing scheme that defrauded at least 25 elderly Americans of an intended $2,694,156 in cash and gold. The perpetrators impersonated U.S. government officials, using fear tactics to convince seniors they faced arrest or asset seizure unless they immediately surrendered funds. Patel served as the on-ground courier, collecting proceeds from terrified victims, sharing them with accomplices, and pocketing his cut while operating under the guise of a legitimate student.

Arrest Following Attempted $130,000 Pickup

Law enforcement arrested Patel on August 24, 2024, in Granite Shoals, Texas, as he attempted to retrieve a box he believed contained $130,000 from a victim. The Granite Shoals Police Department worked with the FBI San Antonio Field Office to apprehend him during the sting operation. Patel entered federal custody on August 29, 2024, and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on March 18, 2025. His co-defendant Mangukiya pleaded guilty on June 16, 2025, and awaits sentencing. The case demonstrates effective coordination between local police and federal investigators, though it raises serious questions about why these foreign nationals had unrestricted access to operate such schemes on American soil in the first place.

Broader Pattern of Foreign Student Fraud Rings

Patel’s case represents part of a disturbing trend of Indian nationals on student visas exploiting their access to prey on American seniors. Another Indian student, Moinuddin Mohammed, received an eight-year sentence for a $6 million elder scam using identical impersonation tactics. In Rhode Island, 25-year-old Samyag Uday Doshi was arrested in November 2024 as a middleman in a scheme involving over $200,000 in gold purchases, admitting to four or five prior pickups while reporting to an India-based boss. These international fraud rings evolved from call center operations to sophisticated online phishing schemes, exploiting COVID-era transitions and targeting seniors’ fears of government action. The DOJ and FBI acknowledge these schemes are “proliferating,” yet our visa system continues allowing potential bad actors easy entry.

Victims Face Devastating Financial Losses

The 25-plus elderly victims targeted in Patel’s scheme faced catastrophic financial devastation, with losses totaling nearly $2.7 million that likely represented irreplaceable retirement savings. Victims received fake voicemails and calls alleging money laundering investigations, directing them to withdraw cash, purchase gold, or send funds to couriers like Patel under threat of immediate arrest. These fear-based tactics exploited seniors’ trust in government institutions and their vulnerability to sophisticated technological manipulation. US Attorney Justin Simmons stated that Patel “took advantage of his visa status” and emphasized that “today’s sentence demonstrates the federal government’s commitment” to justice for victims. FBI Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp declared, “We prioritize and aggressively pursue those who prey on our elderly population,” though many Americans question why prevention isn’t the priority.

Immigration System Failures Enable Criminal Operations

This case exposes fundamental flaws in America’s student visa vetting and monitoring processes that conservatives have repeatedly highlighted. Foreign nationals enter our country under educational pretenses, then exploit that access to conduct criminal enterprises targeting our most vulnerable citizens. The institutions these perpetrators allegedly attended remain undisclosed, raising transparency concerns about accountability for schools hosting visa holders who commit serious crimes. Patel’s ability to operate freely until caught red-handed during a cash pickup demonstrates inadequate oversight of student visa holders’ activities. While Patel faces potential deportation after serving his sentence, the damage to victims is permanent, their life savings gone because our government failed to protect our borders and properly vet those we allow entry.

Law Enforcement Response and Ongoing Investigations

Federal authorities continue investigating international connections to these fraud rings, with evidence pointing to hierarchical operations stretching back to India. The Doshi case revealed couriers reporting to overseas bosses, indicating organized criminal networks using American students as ground operatives. Financial institutions and gold dealers now face heightened pressure to flag suspicious transactions, with some店 owners’ vigilance leading to arrests through fake check and cash handoff traps. The DOJ urges seniors to verify government contacts independently and never send cash or gold to couriers. However, while prosecution after crimes occur is necessary, Americans rightly demand stronger preventive measures including rigorous visa screening, mandatory tracking of student visa holders, and swift deportation for any violations before criminals can victimize dozens of innocent people.