FBI said Kalpeshkumar Rasikbhai Patel is “wanted by the FBI” in multi-year US fraud case.

FBI hunts Indian national Kalpeshkumar Patel in US-wide fraud scheme case

The FBI has launched a manhunt for Indian national Kalpeshkumar Patel, accused of running a multi-year fraud scheme that deceived victims into sending cash and prepaid cards across the US.

by · India Today

In Short

  • Patel accused of fraud scheme from 2017 to 2021 across the US
  • Victims deceived into sending money via cash and prepaid cards
  • Federal arrest warrant issued in June 2023 for fraud conspiracy

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched a manhunt for an Indian national accused of orchestrating a years-long fraud scheme across the United States, urging the public to come forward with information on his whereabouts.

In a post on X, the FBI said Kalpeshkumar Rasikbhai Patel, also known as Kenny Patel, is “wanted by the FBI” for his alleged role in a nationwide operation that targeted multiple victims between 2017 and 2021.

The FBI said Patel, who worked as a fuel station attendant, is wanted for his alleged participation in a nationwide scheme to defraud multiple victims into transmitting large sums of money between 2017 and 2021.

The FBI said Patel, about 35 years old, is believed to be residing in or travelling between Illinois and Pennsylvania.

“Many victims were contacted via telephone communications and deceived into believing their personal information or identities were associated with criminal activities,” the agency said.

Victims were then convinced into sending large sums of money, often in the form of cash or prepaid debit cards, to addresses across the United States.

On June 22, 2023, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Patel in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky, London, Kentucky, after he was charged with Mail and Wire Fraud Conspiracy.

The agency described Patel as a fugitive and said any information about his location should be treated as “significant and actionable.”

The FBI has asked to share information about Patel with the local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate.

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