Archive · 1 Feb 2026
Indian-Origin Men Charged in US Money Laundering Scheme
Two Indian-origin men, Tejas Patel and Navya Bhatt, have been charged in the US for allegedly running a money laundering scheme.
They targeted elderly people in several states, pretending to be tech workers or officials.
They tricked their victims into giving them large amounts of money, sometimes in cash, gold bars, or Bitcoin.
The police found evidence on Patel's phone, including pictures of money and gold, and messages about the scheme.
Both men have appeared in court, and Patel has another hearing soon.
Bhatt is a student and is currently in the US on an F1 visa.
Two Indian-origin men, Tejas Patel and Navya Bhatt, have been charged in a money laundering conspiracy targeting elderly individuals in the US.
The accused allegedly used various schemes, including PayPal frauds, Microsoft computer fixes, and Bitcoin scams, to defraud their victims.
Evidence found on Patel's Apple account included videos, pictures of cash and gold, communications with co-conspirators, and notes related to the scheme.
Both men appeared in federal court on January 30, with Patel scheduled for a detention hearing on February 6.
Navya Bhatt is an F1 student visa holder and is currently under an ICE detainer, indicating his potential illegal status in the US.
- Who
- Tejas Patel and Navya Bhatt, two Indian-origin men
- What
- Alleged money laundering conspiracy targeting elderly individuals
- When
- Arrested in January 2024, with evidence dating back to February 2024
- Where
- Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, USA
- Why
- To defraud elderly victims of thousands of dollars
- Accused Individuals
- Tejas Patel and Navya Bhatt
- Charges
- Three counts of money laundering
- Targeted Victims
- Elderly individuals in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Ohio
- Payment Methods
- Cash, gold bars, and Bitcoin
- Evidence Found
- Videos, pictures of cash and gold, communications, and notes on Patel's Apple account
- Navya Bhatt's Status
- F1 student visa holder, under ICE detainer
- Court Appearances
- Both appeared on January 30; Patel has a detention hearing on February 6