Gujarat Man Pleads Guilty in $500,000 Wire Fraud Case Targeting Elderly US Couple
A 23-year-old man of Gujarati origin, residing in South Boston, United States, has pleaded guilty to orchestrating a sophisticated wire fraud scheme that defrauded an elderly couple from Massachusetts of approximately $500,000. Urvishkumar Vipulkumar Patel admitted to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, a serious cybercrime involving telecommunications deception.
The Elaborate Scam: Posing as a Treasury Department Officer
According to the US Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts, the fraud began in early 2024 when the 75-year-old victim received a pop-up message on his computer falsely claiming it was frozen. The message directed him to call a number purportedly associated with Microsoft. Upon calling, the victim was connected to an individual identifying himself as "Sam Wilson," who claimed to be a federal law enforcement officer with the US Treasury Department.
Wilson falsely accused the elderly man of involvement in money laundering and instructed him to withdraw cash from his bank accounts. He was told to send the money to the Treasury Department for "safekeeping." This manipulative tactic preyed on the victim's fear and trust in authority figures.
Cash Collection Through Couriers
The scheme involved detailed coordination for cash collection. Patel, posing as Wilson, directed the victim to place the cash in taped boxes with his name and address written on them. Couriers were then sent to the victim's home in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, to collect the boxes.
- Prior to each pickup, Wilson had the victim describe the clothes he would be wearing.
- A prearranged PIN passcode was provided for the couriers to recite upon collection.
- This meticulous planning was designed to create an illusion of legitimacy and security.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
On October 7, 2024, Patel drove from South Boston to North Adams, Massachusetts, to retrieve cash from the victim. After providing the passcode and taking possession of a box containing cash, he was immediately apprehended by authorities.
- Patel was arrested and charged by criminal complaint on October 7, 2024.
- He was indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2024.
- US District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni has scheduled sentencing for February 13, 2026.
The charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud carries severe penalties, including:
- Up to 20 years in prison
- Up to three years of supervised release
- A fine of up to $250,000
Sentences are imposed based on US Sentencing Guidelines and governing statutes, emphasizing the seriousness of such financial crimes.
Context and Similar Cases
This case highlights a growing trend of impostor schemes targeting vulnerable individuals, particularly the elderly. In a related incident from December 2025, another Indian national of Gujarati origin, Ligneshkumar Patel, was sentenced to 90 months (7.5 years) in federal prison. He pleaded guilty to defrauding 11 victims, including elderly residents from Illinois and Missouri, and was ordered to pay over $2 million in restitution.
Wire fraud, often described as a form of "digital arrest" using telecommunications instead of virtual custody, represents a significant challenge in cybercrime enforcement. These cases underscore the importance of public awareness and robust legal measures to combat such deceptive practices.
The guilty plea by Urvishkumar Patel serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of financial scams on individuals and families, while demonstrating the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to hold perpetrators accountable.
