A New Jersey man, Pranav Patel, 33, has been sentenced to six years and three months in federal prison for his role in a widespread conspiracy to commit money laundering, targeting vulnerable senior citizens.
U.S. District Judge William F. Jung handed down the sentence Wednesday, which also includes an order of forfeiture totaling $1,791,301, representing the illicit proceeds of the scheme. Patel pleaded guilty on December 23, 2024.
According to court documents, between October and December 2023, Patel served as a “money mule” in a sophisticated fraud operation originating from call centers abroad. Conspirators impersonated government agents, including U.S. Department of the Treasury officials, to defraud victims. They often threatened victims with arrest for fictitious warrants or coerced them into handing over money and gold for “safekeeping.”
READ: Connecticut Sex Offender Lands 30-Year Sentence In Florida Child Enticement Case
Patel’s role involved traveling from New Jersey to various locations along the East Coast, including the Middle District of Florida, to collect money and gold directly from the elderly victims.
During his sentencing hearing, one victim shared a harrowing account of how the scam financially devastated him, forcing him to sell his home and rely solely on Social Security benefits to cover his living expenses.
The elaborate scheme unraveled in December 2023 when Patel traveled to a residence in Hillsborough County to retrieve what he believed to be a box of gold.
Unbeknownst to him, law enforcement was conducting surveillance, leading to his prompt arrest after he picked up the box. In total, Patel was found responsible for laundering $1,791,301 as part of the criminal enterprise.
READ: Man Rescued After 20-Foot Fall From Treasure Island Causeway Bridge
“Preying on vulnerable, unsuspecting elderly victims to rob them of their hard-earned money is despicable,” stated Robert Engel, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Tampa Field Office. “Even worse, the defendant’s co-conspirators posed as government agents to defraud victims of nearly $2 million, threatening them with arrest if they didn’t follow their demands.”
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
