Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Indian National Arrested in Canada Over $7.5 Million Elder Fraud
US authorities accuse Jay Sunilbharthi Goswami, a 21-year-old man from Gujarat, of helping a group trick older people.
The group allegedly told victims that their bank accounts or personal information had been compromised.
Victims were then persuaded to turn their belongings into cash, gold, or gift cards.
Goswami allegedly collected cash and gold and passed them to other people.
Nine victims, aged 59 to 87, reportedly lost about $7.5 million altogether.
Investigators also allege that more than $90,000 in cash was deposited into a US bank account connected to him.
After appearing in a US court and being released under conditions, he crossed into Canada and was detained at a Toronto airport.
The charges are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Jay Sunilbharthi Goswami, 21, faces US charges alleging he served as a money mule in an elder-fraud scheme.
Authorities allege he collected or helped collect cash and gold from victims in New York and New Jersey at least nine times.
Nine victims aged 59 to 87 reportedly lost approximately $7.5 million, with one complaint citing $7,559,185.
Goswami crossed into Canada after his August 17 US court appearance and was detained at Toronto Pearson International Airport while allegedly preparing to fly to Doha.
He faces wire-fraud and money-laundering charges carrying a potential maximum sentence of 20 years if convicted.
- Who
- Jay Sunilbharthi Goswami, a 21-year-old Indian national from Gujarat who lived in Jersey City, New Jersey, and other alleged participants in the fraud operation.
- What
- Goswami faces US charges alleging that he collected or helped collect cash and gold from elderly victims as a money mule.
- When
- The investigation began in January 2026; Goswami appeared in court on August 17, crossed into Canada on August 18, and was arrested there on August 20, 2026.
- Where
- The alleged scheme targeted victims in the Western District of New York and elsewhere in the United States; Goswami was detained at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Canada.
- Why
- Authorities allege that fraudsters deceived elderly people into converting assets into cash, gold, or gift cards, which money mules collected and transferred to other participants.
- Suspect
- Jay Sunilbharthi Goswami, 21, a Gujarat native who lived in Jersey City, New Jersey.
- Reported losses
- Approximately $7.5 million among nine victims; one complaint cited total losses of $7,559,185.
- Victims
- Nine people aged between 59 and 87.
- Alleged role
- Money mule who allegedly collected or helped collect cash and gold on at least nine occasions.
- Charges
- Wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
- Cash deposits
- More than $90,000 was allegedly deposited into a US bank account between August 1, 2025, and April 6, 2026.
- Canadian arrest
- Canadian authorities detained Goswami at Toronto Pearson International Airport and arrested him on August 20 following a US provisional-arrest request pending extradition.
Sources
Flees US After $7.5 Million Elder Fraud Case, Indian National Arrested At Toronto Airport
Gujarat Man Arrested In Canada Over $7.5 Million Scam Targeting Senior Citizens In US
US: Indian National Arrested in Multi-Million-Dollar Fraud Case
21-year-old Indian arrested in US over multi-million-dollar fraud targeting elderly
Indian National Arrested In US Over $7.5 Million Fraud Targeting Elderly People
