AUSTIN, TX – A federal court in Austin sentenced an Indian national to 97 months in prison for his role in a large-scale money laundering conspiracy that defrauded elderly victims out of millions of dollars, authorities announced Wednesday.
According to court documents, Moinuddin Mohammed, 34, participated in an international scheme that originated in India, where fraudsters impersonated U.S. government officials to deceive elderly victims into handing over large sums of money. Mohammed acted as a courier, collecting cash and gold from victims under the pretense of resolving fictitious investigations or preventing financial losses.
Victims were contacted by scammers posing as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas and were falsely informed that they were under investigation. They were then pressured into turning over their savings, with some losing hundreds of thousands of dollars. Investigators identified 21 victims nationwide, who collectively lost nearly $6 million. Among the victims, one lost more than $300,000, another $151,500, and a third approximately $470,000.
In addition to his prison sentence, Mohammed must pay approximately $960,000 in restitution, forfeit $20,000 in cash seized by investigators, and surrender a $16,000 money judgment.
Authorities Warn of Rising Financial Scams Targeting the Elderly
“This significant sentence sends a strong message that we will investigate and prosecute those at every level of the organization,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas. “Mohammed and his co-conspirators preyed on vulnerable elderly people by impersonating government officials, and they will be held accountable.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp for the San Antonio Field Office emphasized that financial scams targeting the elderly are on the rise. “Mohammed targeted some of our most vulnerable citizens for personal gain,” Tapp said. “The FBI continues to see an increase in these schemes, and we are committed to bringing awareness to the public while pursuing justice for victims.”
The FBI led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Henneke prosecuted the case. Officials urge anyone who has been a victim of financial fraud to contact their local FBI office or report the crime at www.IC3.gov. The FBI also encourages the public to review its latest Elder Fraud Report for guidance on protecting themselves and their loved ones from similar scams.
Condenan a 8 Años de Prisión a Hombre por Lavado de Dinero en Fraude Millonario a Ancianos
AUSTIN, TX – Un tribunal federal sentenció a Moinuddin Mohammed, de 34 años, a 97 meses de prisión por lavar dinero en un fraude millonario que estafó a personas mayores en todo EE.UU.
Mohammed era un mensajero en un esquema internacional originado en India, donde estafadores se hicieron pasar por funcionarios estadounidenses para engañar a las víctimas y hacerles creer que estaban bajo investigación. Temiendo perder su dinero, entregaron efectivo y oro, con algunos perdiendo cientos de miles de dólares. Los investigadores identificaron 21 víctimas que fueron defraudadas por un total de casi $6 millones.
Además de su condena, Mohammed deberá pagar $960,000 en restitución y confiscar $36,000 en bienes incautados.
“Este caso envía un mensaje claro: procesaremos a los estafadores en todos los niveles”, dijo la fiscal federal interina Margaret Leachman.
El FBI, que lideró la investigación, advierte que los fraudes financieros contra personas mayores están en aumento. Se insta a las víctimas a denunciar estafas en www.IC3.gov.
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