In a case that highlights the dark side of remote work flexibility, a 33-year-old Indian-American technology professional has been apprehended by federal authorities in New York for allegedly maintaining two full-time remote positions simultaneously.
Shiva Reddy Nandam, residing in Queens, now faces serious federal charges for what prosecutors are calling an elaborate employment deception scheme. The accused managed to secure concurrent employment with two major financial services companies while collecting substantial salaries from both.
The Dual Employment Scheme
According to court documents, Nandam's alleged scheme unfolded between February and October 2023. During this period, he reportedly worked remotely for both a New York-based financial firm and a New Jersey financial services company.
The financial implications of this arrangement were substantial - Nandam allegedly received approximately $130,000 from one employer and over $87,000 from the other, totaling more than $217,000 in combined compensation for the eight-month period.
How the Scheme Unraveled
The sophisticated employment scam began to collapse when one of the companies grew suspicious of Nandam's work patterns and availability. Investigators discovered that he had used different email accounts and variations of his name to conceal the dual employment arrangement from both employers.
Federal prosecutors emphasized the deliberate nature of the deception, noting that Nandam took active steps to prevent either company from discovering he was working full-time for another organization in the same industry.
Legal Consequences and Potential Penalties
Nandam now faces federal charges that could result in significant prison time if convicted. The case serves as a stark warning to professionals considering similar dual employment arrangements without employer knowledge.
The arrest highlights growing concerns among employers about remote work accountability and the need for robust verification processes in the era of widespread telecommuting.
As remote work continues to be prevalent in the technology and financial sectors, this case may prompt companies to re-evaluate their employment verification and monitoring systems to prevent similar incidents.
