Gujarat-born man accused of acting as a money mule in a fraud targeting elderly victims in New York and New Jersey
An Indian national has been arrested in Canada following allegations that he played a role in a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme targeting elderly people in the United States.
Jay Sunilbharthi Goswami, 21, a native of Gujarat who was living in Jersey City, New Jersey, has been charged by US authorities with wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.
According to the US Department of Justice, Goswami allegedly acted as a “money mule”, collecting cash and gold from elderly victims and passing them to other members of the alleged conspiracy. Investigators say he personally collected or helped collect valuables on at least nine occasions in New York and New Jersey.
The US Justice Department stressed that the charges are allegations and that Goswami is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court
The nine victims, aged between 59 and 87, reportedly lost about $7.56 million in total. The alleged scheme involved perpetrators contacting elderly people by phone or online and falsely claiming that their bank accounts, money or personal information had been compromised. Victims were then persuaded to convert their assets into cash, gold or gift cards.
Investigators also allege that Goswami deposited more than $90,000 in cash into a US bank account between August 2025 and April 2026. Authorities believe the deposits were linked to payments for his alleged role in the operation.
Goswami appeared before a US magistrate on August 17 and was released under conditions. The following day, authorities say he crossed into Canada and had booked a flight from Toronto to Doha.
Canadian authorities detained him at Toronto Pearson International Airport and formally arrested him on August 20 following a US request for provisional arrest pending extradition. US and Canadian authorities are now working on the extradition process.
