Kamal Ghorui
A US court has sentenced Indian-origin Sital Singh to four years in prison for his role in a multi-million-dollar fraud scheme that targeted elderly victims across the country. on Thursday also ordered Singh, 43, to pay $6.6 million in restitution. Prosecutors said the scheme, operated in coordination with overseas scammers, defrauded victims of nearly $9.3 million, according to the US attorney office.Singh, Dariona Lambert, 24, Zhamoniq Stevens, 24, Chintankumar Parekh, 52, and Mehulkumar Darji, 42, all pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.He acted as a “handler,” coordinating the collection of gold bars and coins that victims were tricked into purchasing. The fraud involved callers posing as officials who falsely claimed victims’ financial accounts had been compromised, pressuring them to convert savings into gold for “security.”Two co-accused, identified as couriers, physically collected the gold from victims, while Singh and other handlers managed logistics and payments. Authorities said the network operated across at least ten states, targeting vulnerable, elderly individuals.In one instance, an 82-year-old woman in St. Louis was persuaded to buy $250,000 worth of gold before law enforcement intervened during a pickup attempt.Federal investigators said the scam had devastating consequences. “These crimes robbed elderly victims of their life savings,” said FBI officials, citing cases where families lost funds meant for long-term care.All five accused have now been sentenced, with Singh and two others receiving four-year prison terms. Authorities said some co-conspirators will face deportation after completing their sentences.
